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DISCOURSE 66
237
How excellent is the code of conduct prescribed in the Jinshasan (The Jain tradition) !
Even such a great acharya as Vajraswami said Michchami. dukkhadam to his disciple when he was going away. The acharya sought his forgiveness. While teaching a disciple sometimes the teacher may have to rebuke his disciple. Sometimes, he may have to utter a few harsh words and may wound his disciple's feelings. Now, when the disciple is going away, he seeks forgiveness. What extraordinary politeness! What amazing humility!
ATTACHMENTS AND HATRED DECREASE WHEN THE TRUTH IS KNOWN
Aryarakshit approached his Gurudev three times to ask him the question, "How much still remains to be studied ?" But Vajraswami did not feel displeased or offended; nor did he get angry and indignant, but exercising his spiritual vision, he visualized Aryarakshit's future. He remembered the dream he had seen, "He cannot study more". He came to this conclusion. He thought also, "Now he is going away. Let him go but will he come back again or not? Will I be alive or not when he comes back ?" Exercising his spiritual power, he realised that he was going to die soon. He would live only for a short time. So he gave up the hope of Aryarakshit's continuation of his studies. He faced the situation with equanimity and he bestowed cordial blessings upon him and bade him farewell. Attachments and hatred will not be present in a person when he realises the truth. When a person realises the real causes and effects, it will be easy for him to maintain his equanimity.
Shri Aryarakshit did not go straight to Dashpur. He first went to Pataliputra, to meet and salute his Gurudev Shri Tosaliputra Acharya. At that time Shri Tosaliputra was staying at Pataliputra. Aryarakshit entered Pataliputra; approached his gurudev and saluted him by placing his head upon his feet. The gurudev rained affection upon him. Tosaliputra had grown very old. He too had understood by means of his spiritual power, how long he was going to live. He said in an affectionate manner :
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