________________
DISCOURSE 85
163
All sorts of persons cannot deliver discourses on the scriptures. Just because a person desires to become a speaker and to deliver discourses and just because he has mastered the art of delivering discourses, he cannot be an able preacher of Dharma.
BUDDHA AND ANKAMALA
Once, a certain wealthy young man approached the Buddha and said, "Revered Lord! I desire to render service to people. Send me anywhere you like. I will go there and preach the Dharma to people”.
The Buddha knew that young man. His name was Ankamala. He said, "Ankamal! Before trying to give anything to people you must realise whether you have anything to give. First, you try to acquire worth. Later you can preach to others”.
Ankamal saluted the Buddha and went away. He carried out a deep study of the scriptures for ten years. He worked with great assiduity and mastered the various arts. Throughout the Empire of Maghadha, he became famous as a master of various arts. People praised him everywhere. He became proud and his mind was bubbling with the desire to attain honour and popularity. The man who does not grow proud and arrogant even after attaining honour and popularity is indeed a noble man. Ankamal approached Bhagwan Buddha; saluted him and said,
"My lord, now I can give everyone something useful. I have mastered the twenty four arts”.
There appeared a smile on the face of the Buddha. He said, "Ankamal, you have just learnt the various arts but you must pass an examination. You can feel proud of your achievement only after passing the examination”.
"My lord ! I will surely pass the examination”. Saying this, he returned home.
The next day, the Buddha asked a disciple of his to go to Ankamal in disguise. That Buddhist monk went to Ankamal
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
