The Jain lineage includes 24 Tirthankaras, or Beings who share Their enlightenment with others. The Tirthankaras’ teachings comprise the Agam sutras, which are the holy scriptures of Jainism. The 24th and last Tirthankara was Lord Mahavira, whose name means “Great Hero.” We now invite you to listen to excerpts from the Twentieth Lecture of “Uttaradhyayana,” one of the most important scriptures in Jainism. This lecture, called “The Great Duty of the Nirgranthas (Jain Monks),” describes a conversation between King Srenika and an ascetic Saint. During their conversation, the Saint explains to the king about the inner meaning of a true protector. THE GREAT DUTY OF THE NIRGRANTHAS “Piously adoring the perfected and the restrained saints, listen to my true instruction which (teaches the real) profit (of men), religion, and liberation. King Srenika, the ruler of Magadha, who possessed many precious things, once made a pleasure-excursion to the Mandikukshi Kaitya. There he saw a restrained and concentrated saint sitting below a tree, who looked delicate and accustomed to comfort. Adoring his feet and keeping him on his right side (he sat down), neither too far off nor too close by, and asked him with his hands clasped: ‘Though a young nobleman, you have entered the order; in an age fit for pleasure you exert yourself as a Sramana, O ascetic; I want to hear you explain this.’ ‘I am without a protector, O great king; there is nobody to protect me, I know no friend nor anyone to have sympathy with me.’ ‘I am the protector of religious men; O monk; enjoy pleasures together with your friends and relations; for it is a rare chance to be born as a human being.’ ‘You yourself are without a protector, Srenika, ruler of Magadha; and as you are without a protector, how can you protect anybody else?’ When the Saint had addressed this unprecedented speech to the king, who was greatly moved and astonished, and struck with astonishment, (he answered): 'I have horses, elephants, and subjects, a town and a seraglio (harem), power and command: enjoy human pleasures. 'In possession of so great means, which permit the owner to enjoy all pleasures, how could he be without protection? Reverend sir, you speak untruth.' ‘In my childhood, O great king, I caught a very bad eye-disease and a severe burning fever in all my limbs, O ruler of men. Then the best physicians came to my help, who cure by their medical art and by spells, who were versed in their science, and well knew spells and roots. They tried to cure me according to the fourfold science (Four branches of medical science) which they had been taught; but they could not rid me of my pains: hence I say that I am without protection.’ ‘Then I said: It is very hard to bear pains again and again in the endless Circle of Births. If I, for once, shall get rid of these great pains, I shall become a houseless monk, calm, restrained, and ceasing to act. While I thought so, I fell asleep, O ruler of men; and after that night my pains had vanished. Then in the morning of the next day I took leave of my relations and became a houseless monk, calm, restrained, and ceasing to act. Thus I became the protector of myself and of others besides, of all living beings, whether they move or not.’” 耆那教的傳承有廿四位祖師（耆那），他們與其他人分享自身的開悟。祖師們的教理被集結成《阿含經》，成為耆那教的聖典。第廿四位，最後的祖師是主摩訶毗羅，意指「偉大的英雄」。 我們現在邀您聆聽耆那教最重要的經典之一《烏塔拉德哈亞納經》，第廿課經文節選。這篇講文名為「耆那教僧侶的重責大任」，內容記敘斯雷尼卡國王和一位苦行僧的對話。在兩人的交談中，這位聖人向國王解釋一位真正的保護者其內在的含義。 耆那教僧侶的重責大任。「一心追求完美自我節制的聖人們，聽我真正的指導，這是（教導真正的）有益於（人的）、宗教和解脫。 摩揭陀統治者斯雷尼卡國王，他有許多珍寶，有一次他遊覽曼迪庫克詩凱特亞。國王在那裡看到一位自律而專注的聖人坐在一棵樹下，他看起來出身於優渥安逸的家世。國王頂禮苦行僧足下讓他位於自己的右邊（他坐下），相距不太遠也不太近，雙手合十問他：『身為年輕的貴族，您已入道修行；在適合享樂的年紀您卻選擇出家當沙門，苦行僧啊；我想聽您說說緣由。』『我沒有保護者，偉大的君王啊；沒有人能保護我，我不知道有什麼朋友，也沒有人同情我。』 『我是宗教人士的保護者；僧人啊；請與您的親友們一起享受快樂；因為生而為人實乃千載難逢。』『您自己都沒有保護者，摩揭陀統治者斯雷尼卡；既然您都沒有保護者，怎能保護其他人？』當此聖人出乎意料地向國王說了這番話之後，他聽了既震撼又驚奇，（國王回答）：『我有馬匹、大象、有臣民、城池（後宮）、有權有勢：享受為人的歡娛。一個人家財萬貫，能享受所有的歡愉，怎麼可能沒有保護？可敬的僧侶，您這樣說不對吧。』 『偉大的君王啊，我小時候罹患非常嚴重的眼疾且全身發高燒，人的統治者啊。家人為我請來最好的醫生們，用各種技術妙方醫治我，他們都深諳其醫理，且醫術精湛。他們用盡平生所學的醫學四科診療法想治好我；但他們無法斷除我的痛苦：因此我說我不受保護。』 『然後我說：在無盡的生死輪迴中，難以一次又一次地承受痛苦。如果我能擺脫這種錐心之痛，我願成為雲遊僧，平靜、持戒、不再汲汲營營。我這樣想之後，就睡著了，人的統治者啊；那夜之後，我的痛苦就消失了。到了隔天早晨，我告別親友們，成為雲遊僧，平靜、持戒、不再汲汲營營。因此我成為自己、周遭其他生命與眾生的保護者，包括有情或無情眾生。』」 ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3HN-DS-oOU

A DIY Tip 自己動手小秘訣 ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2xNQoH4JhI