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Lord Mahāvīra and His Times
beg food only for the sustenance of life. Those who explain the marks of the body and who know its imminent changes are not to be called novices. THE LEAF OF THE TREE
Just as the yellow leaf of a tree falls to the ground when its days are done, so does the life of man come to its close.? As life is so fleeting and existence so precarious, one should wipe off the sins ever committed. A rare chance is human birth for living beings and hard are the consequences of actions. The soul, which suffers from its carelessness, is driven about in the Samsāra by its good and bad Karmans. It is a chance rare enough to become an elect. If one believes in the law, one will surely practise it when the human body grows old and the hair turns white, when the power of the ears, eyes and the tactile nerves diminishes--when, in short, all human power begins to decline. One should cast aside all attachments and give up wealth. The enlightened and liberated monk should control himself and should show all the road to peace. THE TRUE MONK
If a monk is dogmatic in his assertions, if he is malicious, egotistical, greedy, and without self-discipline, if he is always unkind, if he does not share what he has with others, then he is ill-behaved. If he is always humble, steady, free from deceit, if he is not proud of his learning, if he listens to friendly advice, if he does not speak ill of his friend behind his back, if he is enlightened, polite, decent and quiet, then he is well-bchaved. Monks will go to the highest place only after their liarma has been annihilated.
He who adopts the law with a vicw to living as a monk should live in company of other monks, upright and free from desires. Free from love, hc should live as a model of righteousness, abstaining from sins and versed in the sacred law.
1. Ultarā, X. This sermon was preached by Mahāvira to Gautama to
help him attain kecala-jnana. It contains much or asahavira's doctrine. Thc sermon was meant to enable Gautama to cut off love and reach
perfection. 2. Ibid, XI, 10-13.
