Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
by Helen M. Johnson | 1931 | 742,503 words
This page describes Mahavira’s last sermon which is the second part of chapter XIII of the English translation of the Mahavira-caritra, contained within the “Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra”: a massive Jain narrative relgious text composed by Hemacandra in the 12th century. Mahavira in jainism is the twenty-fourth Tirthankara (Jina) and one of the 63 illustrious beings or worthy persons.
Part 2: Mahāvīra’s last sermon
After this eulogy, Hastipāla stopped and the last Arhat, the Blessed One, delivered his last sermon.
“There are four objects of existence of people in this world. Of these, wealth and love are valuable in name only; in reality they are worthless. Emancipation alone is of value and dharma is the cause of it. The tenfold self-control, et cetera is a boat for the ocean of worldly existence. Worldly existence has infinite pain, but emancipation has infinite bliss. There is no means for the giving up and acquirement of the two except dharma. Just as a lame man may go a long way slowly, if he follows a path, so one even with heavy karma may attain emancipation, if he practices dharma.”