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Main Index
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| | | Book Name: The Dhammapada - The Way of the Buddha, Vol 3 | Previous Next | |
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with the master, to be so attuned that his being starts sinking in you, that you start overlapping. Then something starts happening in you which has never happened. The master is not doing it, you are not doing it -- there is nobody who is doing it -- it is simply happening. Just like listening to music you feel like dancing; being in tune with the master you feel an awakening happening to you.
THE FARMER CHANNELS WATER TO HIS LAND.
THE FLETCHER WHITTLES HIS ARROWS.
AND THE CARPENTER TURNS HIS WOOD.
SO THE WISE MAN DIRECTS HIS MIND.
Once some fragments of wisdom have happened to you, direct your mind towards the awakened. The disciple is continuously directing his mind towards his master -- even after the disciple becomes enlightened he continues to direct his mind.
Sariputta became enlightened -- he was one of the great disciples of Buddha. When he became enlightened he was very afraid to go in front of Buddha. Why? -- because he knew now Buddha will tell him to go and spread the word; he will have to leave the master.
It is said that for many days he was hiding from the master, but finally Buddha inquired, "Where is Sariputta? -- because he has become enlightened, and you cannot hide a light. Bring him, fetch him wherever he is!"
He was hiding in a cave. He was brought forcibly. He said, "I don't want to go. I know what he is going to do to me. He will say, 'Now you go, roam, wander, preach. Now you have become awakened, wake up others!' And I don't want to leave the master. How will I live without his constant presence?"
But he had to leave. When he came to Buddha, Buddha said, "Now go to the east and spread the word. You have attained, now share it." And when the master orders, it has to be followed.
With tears in his eyes he touched the master's feet, went towards the east. But every morning the first thing he would do, he would get up, bow down towards the west where the master was dwelling.
People would ask him, "Sariputta, you are now yourself a buddha in your own right -- what are you doing? Why do you go on bowing down every morning towards the west?"
He said, "It doesn't
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