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The True Preacher
to be hanged in a few days. This man looked really fierce. His eyes reflected the cruelty of Satan.
The artist painted a portrait of this evil-looking man. The portrait was so life-like that the eyes in the portrait looked really violent and murderous.
The artist went to the prisoner and showed him both the portraits. First he showed him the painting of the prisoner and then the painting of the farmer. The prisoner looked at both of the paintings carefully and then began to laugh.
The painter was amazed to see him laughing and asked, "What is making you laugh so much ?" The prisoner said, "And why not?"
"Well," the artist said, “This first painting is that of a good man virtuous farmer."
"... That is why I am laughing." "But why ?"
The prisoner said, "You fool, this first printing is mine and the second one is also mine. I was that farmer whom you once painted."
The artist was really astonished now. He began to realise that it is possible for one man's eyes to reflect both good and evil. As both God and Satan live in our hearts. The eyes which reflect divinity are capable of reflecting evil too.
Once there was a learned Jain monk who was a scholar and a good Orator. He was sitting on a special monk's platform one day, delivering his sermon. Above him there was a beautifully embroidered silk chandarva.
The monk was explaining the importance of nonacquisition. In the audience there was a man called Rupo.
The monk asked the listeners after his speech, "Did you follow what I meant ?" Everyone else said they understood what was explained to them, but Rupo said, “I did not follow sir."
On the second day, the monk explained the same principle of non-acquisition with stories and then asked the question, “Do you now understand?"
But Rupo replied, "No, sir."
Three days passed, every day Rupo gave the same reply, "No sir, I do not understand.”
The monk began to wonder why Rupo could not understand this simple principle. Then, whilst meditating, he realised what was wrong with Rupo or rather what was wrong with himself.
d: jain story
