The Guru and the Disciple - Jain Library

PREFACE
The worldly life is of father-son, mother-son or daughter,
wife-husband, etc., relationships. Also to be found in the worldly
life is the delicate guru-disciple relationship. It is a relationship
in which, after surrendering to the guru, the disciple remains
sincere to him for the rest of his life, and increasing his param
vinay (absolute humility) for his guru, he abides by his
instructions and attains the ultimate special spiritual siddhi
(energy; power). This book puts forth a beautiful description
of what constitutes an ideal guru as well as an ideal disciple.
Currently many different beliefs about a guru are prevalent
and hence people become very confused about how to find the
right guru. Perplexing questions on this matter have been asked
to the Gnani Purush Dadashri, and He has given answers to
the point of total satisfaction of the questioner.
Gnani Purush means a ‘worldly observatory as well as
an observatory of absolute internal science.’ In these proceeding
pages you will find answers to questions such as, ‘What does
the status of a guru mean?’ ‘Is there a need for a guru in
spirituality? And if so, to what extent?’ ‘What qualities must a
guru have? Should he be superior or humble?’ ‘Is the guru
qualified? Does he have the master keys necessary for a guru?’
‘Is the guru trapped in greed, desires and illusion?’ ‘Does he
have sexual desires or desires to have a following of disciples?’
How do you choose a guru? Whom should you make your
guru? How many gurus should one make? If one already has
a guru, can he have another one? What should one do if the
guru turns out to be unworthy? What are the dangerous pitfalls
inherent in the relationship of a guru and the disciple? What
should a disciple be like?
This book gives information on various topics concerning
gurus and disciples; information related to what the subtle
awareness of the disciple should be. How should a guru behave
towards the disciples so that it benefits him as well as the
disciples in their spiritual progress? How should the disciple
conduct himself with the guru? When should a disciple make a
guru so that he may attain knowledge and experience? What
kind of weaknesses must a guru not have so that he is strong
enough to help his disciple progress? How is one to find the
kind of devotion Eklavya had for his guru in this day and age?
Through Gnani Purush Dadashri, we get answers to questions
asked to him regarding whether as a Gnani he had a guru,
whether he had disciples, what kind of a state does he move
around in, etc.
According to common knowledge, people consider a guru,
a satguru and a Gnani as one and same, whereas here in this
book, Dadashri gives us a clear distinction between the three.
How can one walk the spiritual path without the one who
is already familiar with that path? To be familiar means to be a
guide.
Here, in this book, you gain knowledge and understanding
of what the leader of the path of moksha – the ultimate guru –
should be like.
With the aim and the vision that both guru and his
disciple can go forth on the path of liberation, Dadashri, who
while moving around in the supreme spiritual state as the Gnani,
gives various visions and understanding regarding the gurudisciple
relationship. There was no one more humble than He
was. The understanding given to us by way of the Gnani’s
speech is presented here, which will become a guide to all
traveling the path of liberation.
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- Dr. Niruben Amin