Third, I beg forgiveness from the Ganadhars, and past and present Acharyas,
Upadhyays and Sadhu-Sadhvis. The Ganadhars possess 52 virtues, Acharyas
possess 36 virtues, Upadhyays possess 25 virtues, and Sadhu’s possess 27
virtues.
We are truly indebted to our religious teachers, preceptors and preachers,
who are great scholars, great monks, great men; who know the essence of
the scriptures and are well-versed in it. They are on the path of
salvation, and they guide others on the same path. They are like a boat or
a voyage ship helping us to cross the ocean of life. They are like a
wish-fulfilling gem, ornamental to the Jain religion.
Also, all the Ganadhars, and many Acharyas, Upadhyayas and Sadhus have
already attained liberation or heaven by repentance, criticism of their
own sins, etc., so we are highly obliged to them.
Also in the universe, there are at present, Acharyas and
Upadhyayas, possessing similar virtues, all under the command of Shri
Vitraag Lords. Their number may range from 200 to 900 million. Let our
repeated salutations be to them.
How are these Masters? They are followers of the 5 great vows of
non-violence, truth, non-stealing, celibacy, and possessionlessness. They
practice 5 Samitis that lay down ways and methods of carrying out
essential activities of life, and 3 Guptis pertaining to control of mind,
speech, and body. They have innate affection for all six types of living
beings. They are free from 7 types of fears and 8 types of prides. They
practice absolute celibacy strictly following the 9 guidelines. They
practice the 10 fold religion of the monks. They practice 12 types of
austerities, and 17 types of restraints. They are overcome all 22 types of
adversities, and are embedded with 27 attributes of the monks. They take
food free from all violations. They avoid indulging in the 52 types of
misdoings. They have abandoned the use of animate things and use only
inanimate things. They have abandoned the wealth and passions and the
worldly attachments. They are oceans of equanimity and are full of
sympathy, etc. virtues.
You dwell in villages, townships, cities, etc. and I, a sinner, humble
servant, virtue-less, am sitting here! If I have indulged in any lapses
pertaining to your knowledge, perception, character and austerities, or if
have been instrumental of any disrespect, ill-behaviour, ill-worship or
offence, then with folded hands, shunning pride, and bowed head, I
repeatedly beg for your forgiveness. TASSA MICHCHHAMI DUKKADAM.
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