Vijaydharmasuri

Author(s): A J Sunavala
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Page 58

XI
CONSECRATION OF MONKS
NATURE OF HAPPINESS EXPLAINED The next incident of importance in Calcutta was the consecration of new monks. Five students from amongst those who had followed Dharma Vijaya from Benares manifested to him their desire to be initiated as monks. Convinced of their sincerity and seriousness, Dharma Vijaya acquiesced and consented to favour their long cherished desire. Arrangements were made to celebrate the event, and, to add to the gravity of the occasion, Dharma Vijaya gave a sermon which had for its subject the following verse :
न चेन्द्रस्य सुखं किञ्चिन्न सुखं चक्रवर्तिनः ।
सुखमस्ति विरक्तस्य मुनेरेकान्तजीविनः ॥१॥ Neither for Indra nor for an Emperor is there the least happiness. (But) there is happiness for a Muni, living alone and in detachment.'
PERFECT HAPPINESS THE NATURE OF THE SOUL
He explained the nature of happiness, for which all men are athirst. There are certain things which all men desire. These things are health and wealth, ease and comfort, strength and influence, honour and fame, power and authority, freedom from opposition and freedom from pain. But all these things, all these