Way of Life Part 1

Author(s): Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana

Page 87

DISCOURSE 5
77
not become intoxicated with money but he makes his endeavours. The man who realises that he is ill desires to get rid of his illness. He takes medicine and treatment. If you have realised that you are ignorant in respect of Dharma, you will certainly endeavour to attain the knowledge of Dharma.
The man who regards himself as a man of knowledge and makes no endeavour to attain knowledge is indeed a fool. He regards himself as a great scholar. Dharma should not be taught to such foolish people. Even if the knowledge that is communicated to such a person is as precious as nectar he cannot receive it. A certain Professor went to the great religious teacher, Nana Yin of the Zen tradition. The Professor said to Nana Yin, "Please teach me the doctrines of the Zen philosophy". Nana Yin said, "First, have a little tea and then we will talk about it”. Nana Yin poured tea into the cup and continued to pour and the tea overflowed the cup and fell on the ground. Seeing this, the Professor said, "The tea is overflowing. The cup cannot receive any more tea." Nana Yin said with great calmness, "In the same manner, your mind is full of your own beliefs and conjectures and until you can empty your mind of those beliefs and conjectures, I cannot teach you anything of the Zen philosophy; nor can you receive anything; nor can you understand anything of it”.
Why Is the Garland of Beads counted at the time of the discourse ?
In this world there are countless people who claim to know everything of Dharma. Here also some may make a similar claim. They may say, "We know all the doctrines of Dharma. We come here only to perform Samayik (an austerity) and to turn the garland of beads". See here, the discourse is going on and these people are counting beads, thinking that they know everything. You can see a sample of such people before you. These people think that they know everything of dharma and there remains nothing they need to know. These people have become enlightened in the fourteen branches of knowledge ! Ask them why they keep turning the garland of beads and