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Jain Meditation
L.M.: We can through meditation and service.
S.C.: Meditation, yes. And Mahavira is a good example for us.
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L.M.: How long ago did the first Jain teacher live?
S.C.: Adi was the first, beginning thousands, perhaps millions, of years ago. Adi means Adamlike. Then, the teacher Parshwanath lived about 850 B.C. And Mahavira lived around 599 B.C.
L.M.: That is very close to the Buddha's time.
S.C.: The Buddha was later on. And also, for seven years, Buddha practiced asceticism.
L.M.: In his growth, on his path toward becoming Buddha?
S.C.: In the beginning—Buddha came from Nepal. And he came to Magadha where Mahavira had lived, which is around Patna, in Bihar. So Buddha practiced Shramana for seven years. But then, he found it a little too ascetic. So he selected the middle path.
L.M.: I didn't know that. Now you've said that Jain meditation can be practiced equally well, whether you decide to be a monk or nun, and live in a monastery.
S.C.: Yes.
L.M.: Or, you can have a family life, in the world.
S.C.: Yes.
L.M.: What is the understanding of a living teacher, such as yourself? And what is the Jain view of the guru? It is difficult for most of us to recognize who is the right teacher. One who will guide us to what is called right vision.
S.C.: It is a very difficult thing. If you want to buy a diamond, you have to take time to understand who is a right jeweler, one who does not cheat you.
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