Dhana made a march day by day like the sun, looked for by all the people with wide-open eyes. At that time, it was the fiery summer season terrible to travelers, diminishing the water of the ponds and rivers, as well as shortening the nights. Winds that were like fires, thoroughly unbearable, blew, and the sun spread its heat that was like a mass of fire on all sides. The members of the caravans stopped at every tree near a pond and, having entered every water-dispensary, drank much water, and fell (on the ground). Continue reading “The first Incarnation of Rishabhdev as the Merchant Dhana – Part 2” »

STATEMENT
Then Satamati said: “There is no other soul here than the momentary, deceptive knowledge of the sense-objects of the categories. The doctrine in regard to permanence in objects has as its source knowledge derived from memory. The unity of past and present moments is certainly not true.” Continue reading “Statement & Refutation of Ksanikavada (The Buddhist Doctrine)” »

Now the Master Vajranabha acquired strong Tirthankara-bodymaking and family-karma by the twenty sthanakas as follows. Of these the first is by worship of the Arhats and Arhat-statues, and by hymns of praise containing true events, avoiding blasphemy. The second is the celebration in words of the true state of emancipation with festivals of watching in the places where the siddhas attained perfection. Continue reading “The Twenty Sthanakas” »

“Dharma is the highest happiness. Dharma bestows heaven and emancipation. Dharma shows the road for crossing the wilderness of samsara. Dharma nourishes like a mother, protects like a father, pleases like a friend, and is loving like a kinsman. Dharma imparts very fine qualities like a guru. Dharma confers a distinguished position like a master. Dharma is a mansion of bliss. Dharma is a shield in danger from enemies. Dharma is heat for the destruction of cold. Dharma knows the weak points of sins. From Dharma* a creature could become a king, from Dharma a Rama, from Dharma an ardhacakrin, from Dharma a cakrin, from Dharma a god, and from Dharma an Indra. From Dharma one attains Ahamindraship in the Graiveyaka and Anuttara heavens. From Dharma one attains Arhatship. What is not accomplished by Dharma? Dharma is socalled from supporting creatures who have fallen into a bad condition of existence. It is fourfold with the divisions of offering (dana), Austerity (Shila), penance (tapas*), and state of mind (bhava). Continue reading “Sermon – Part 1” »

Then the thrones of all the Indras shook, as if to urge them in the business of the Master’s kevala-festival. The bells in the heavens rang at once with a penetrating sound, like messengers in the business of summoning their respective people. From the mere thought of the Lord of Saudharma wishing to go to the Master’s feet, the god Airavana, turned into an elephant, approached. With his body a lac of yojanas long he shone like Meru which had become alive, wishing to see the Master. Continue reading “Description of Airavana” »

When he died from Saudharma, then he was born as a son of King satabala, the crest-jewel of the Vidyadharas, by his wife Candrakanta, in the West Videhas, in the province Gandhilavati, on Mt. Vaitadhya, in the country named Gandhara, in the city Gandhasamrddhaka. He was exceedingly strong, and was named ‘Mahabala’ because of his strength. Protected by guards and cherished, he gradually grew up like a tree. Gradually filled with all the arts, like the moon with digits, highly distinguished, he became a festival to the eye of the people. Continue reading “Fourth Incarnation as Mahabala” »