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158
SHRAMAN MAHAVIR
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An individual enquired of the Lord, 'Sirel Are the two things, the monkhood and its external marks bear any relationship with each other?
Said the Lord, 'How could I say that the two are unrelated ? External marks reflect the inner sentiments of an individual When one cultivates stoic tolerance alongwith desirelessness, one may discard all garbs The monastic garblessness is indicative of his utterly simple and unadorned feeling
'However, there are individuals who discard garbs without attaining tolerance and desirelessness Thus what use the external marks and the garb?
'It ought not to win any recognition However, there ought to be some original source after which the outward marks are modelled The garb and physical marks essentially reflect one's mental and moral constitution It is this which is thus represented and hence it cannot be asserted that the outward marks and inner sainthood are unrelated
'l classify human beings in four categories -- 1 Some individuals retain the garb and the symbols but
discard the monkhood 2 Some individuals retain the monkhood but discard the
garb and the symbols 3 Some individuals retain, both outward marks and monk
hood 4. Some individuals discard, both outward marks and
monkhood 1
Another person present there asked, 'Sır! Hordes of people wander about the vast expanse of the country in monastic garbs We fail to discern the genuine monks among them from the fake ones'
Said the Lord, 'I endorse what you allege Numerous impersonators roam about as monks Gullible folks pay them honours due for monks But those who can discern refuse to confer monkhood on them'
1 'Thanam 41419
