________________
262
MOKSHA MARG PRAKASHAK
Therefore, the Nirgranthas only possess supremacy in all respects; no other Jivas execpting the Nirgranthas are meritorious in all respects; therefore, superiority and inferiority are to be considered only from the viewpoint of possession of merits and demerits respectively. Therefore, dauntless adoration is not possible.
Moreover, excepting the Nirgranthas whatever religious conduct is observed by other Jivas (so-called monks) can be followed in the same degree or of higher degree even by the householders, then in such a case who should be regarded as Guru? Therefore, only those Nirgrantha monks who have no external and internal possessions and attachments are to be known as true Gurus (real preceptors).
Here someone may ask- “Such Gurus are not found here in the present time, hence as the installation of Arihanta God is his idol, similarly, the installations of the Gurus are these sanctimonious persons?
Answer: For example, if someone treats the portrait of a king to be the king then that portrait is not a rival of the king but if some ordinary person wants himself to be treated as king then that person is the rival of the king; similarly, if someone makes the installation of Arihanta God etc. in stone, etc. then that idol is not a rival of him, but if some ordinary person wants himself to be treated as monk then such a person is the rival of the monks. If even in this way, the installation be possible then get yourself be treated as Arihanta also. And if an ordinary person is installed as a true monk then at least outwardly he must possess the characteristics of a true monk but the true monk (Nirgrantha) is totally possessionless naked homeless ascetic whereas the so-called monks (Gurus) are having lot of possessions - how such installation is possible?
Question: In the present time the Shravakas (Jaina householders) too are not found as they ought to be; therefore, the monks are also not found as they ought to be. (So, we worship them).
Answer: In the scripture the term Shravaka is used for all Jaina householders (irrespective of whether he is a votary or a non-votary). King Shrainika also was an incontinent (non-votary) but in Uttar. Purana he has been stated as the best Shravaka. In the twelve kinds of assembly halls (in omniscient Jina's Samavasarana) one arena is
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
