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DISCOURSE 1
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benefit he has conferred upon us. Do you realize what the benefit is? Do you consider this a benefit ? Do you consider this enlightened and sublime author as a benefactor ? Now, you please tell us what kind of people you consider as your benefactors. Who is a benefactor? Is it the giver of wealth or the giver of the wisdom of the Dharma? Is it the giver of empty honour; or the giver of the lofty light of knowledge ? The giver of materialistic prosperity or of intellectual excellence and elevation? Of course, you very well consider the givers of wealth, cmpty honour and materialistic prosperity as your benefactors; but you should also consider the givers of sublime knowledge and intellectual elevation as your benefactors. Will you deem them your benefactors? Do you have love and devotion for and faith in knowledge and enlightened people ? Search your inner soul.
EVEN LIFE SHOULD BE SACRIFICED FOR KNOWLEDGE
Once, a great Chinese traveller by name Huentsang came to India. He studied Buddhism for sometime in the Nalanda University; and then, while returning to his country, he carried with him some manuscript granthas relating to Buddhism. He was sailing on the Bay of Bengal on his way to China. In order to bid farewell to him, two Buddhist scholars by name Gnangupta and Tyagaraja were accompanying him on board the sh The ship was sailing forth. Unexpectedly, dark clouds appeared in the sky. All the members on board the ship feared danger to their lives because terrific tempests and cyclonic winds began to blow. The captain of the ship gave orders to the crew that if anyone had with him any heavy article, it should be thrown into the sea. Huentsang had with him those manuscript Budhist granthas. He got ready to throw them into the sea. At that time, Gnangupta and Tyagaraja said to him, "These works are a precious treasure-house of knowledge. Please do not cast them into the sea. Instead of that we two will jump into the sea. Man's life is transitory and perishable. Knowledge is permanent and imperishable. Please do not throw away these extraordinary granthas. From these granthas thousands of people will obtain light which will lead them on the path of Nirvan (salvation) and they will get supreme bliss in conse
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