The Guru and the Disciple - Jain Library

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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. 9 10 - Dr. Niruben Amin
2 The Guru and the Disciple Questioner: Yes, that is true. The Guru and the Disciple Guru means Guide Questioner: I have tried many spiritual paths and teachers for the answer to the term ‘Guru’ and everywhere I have searched; I have not received any satisfactory answers. Dadashri: If you want to go to the station from here and get lost on the way, will you not have to ask someone for help? Whom would you ask? Questioner: Someone who knows the way. Dadashri: The one that knows, is a guru. As long as you do not know the way, you need to ask someone; you may even have to ask a small child. Whomever you ask becomes your guru. Only when there is a guru will you find the way. What would happen without your eyes? The guru is the other eye. He clarifies your path and gives you the light to go ahead. This light is called sooj. Who needs a Guru? Questioner: Do you mean to say that a guru is necessary? Dadashri: It is like this: the road on which one gets lost is the road he is not able to figure out. If you do not know the way to the station, then it is a problem. However, if along the way, you encounter someone who knows the way, then you will reach the station quickly, will you not? Dadashri: So you need someone who has the knowledge. It is not as if the person showing you the way is telling you to ask him. You are asking him out of your own necessity, are you not? For whose benefit are you asking? Questioner: For my own benefit. Dadashri: Or you can keep on walking without asking anyone and try to experience that! That experience will teach you that there is a need for a guru. I will not have to teach you. So there is a path, but there is no one to show it to you, is there? Only if there were someone to show you that path can your work be accomplished. Will you not need a guru or an experienced guide (bhomiyo)? Whoever is the guru, we are considered his followers. The guru walks ahead and shows us the way. Such a person is considered an experienced guide. If a man takes the road going in the opposite direction of Surat, is he likely to reach Surat station if he keeps going in that direction? No matter how much he roams, he will not be able to find Surat station. The night would fall and the day would come but he would still not find Surat station. Such is the confusion here. When you are lost, a guide is your friend Questioner: None of the gurus shows the right path. Dadashri: But those gurus themselves do not know the way, so what can anyone do? No one has found an experienced guide yet. If he had, then he would not have these problems. If you had found such a guide, in addition to showing you the station he would also tell you which train to take. He would show you everything and your task would be finished. Here we have a situation
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