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join him. Instead, he had a simple, intellectual, and honest focus on the unity of two traditions for the betterment of the 'Sraman' path.
The news that Keshiswami joined Mahavir's sangh with his disciples spread rapidly, evoking different reactions from the public.
Some welcomed the news and said, "It is It is about time that the monks, and indeed the about time that these monks, and indeed entire four-fold Arhat
the entire four-fold Arhat sangh understand sangh understand the importance of unity and
the importance of unity and do what is best do what is best for the for the Sraman community." Others Sraman community.
I wondered how long the union would last. Some, of course, were bemoaning the apparent merger of an ancient tradition. Mahavir, while gracefully welcoming the followers of Parshvanath, fully acknowledged that his sangh was not a break-away sect. After all he too was raised in the Parshva tradition. Bhagwan said, “I am not starting a new tradition. I have merely made some changes to an ancient one to enable the Sraman tradition to grow with full vigor."
Keshiswami's decision was based on practical wisdom. He realized that Mahavir's reforms brought new vitality to the Sraman tradition, and suppressed his reservations to embrace reforms. I am very grateful to have such forward-looking monks in our tradition, and hope that generations of future monks will continue to draw inspiration from Keshiswami.
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