NAMO
LOE SAVVA SAHUNAM
The
Conception of Sadhu :
The
Sadhu is the symbol of austere spiritual practice. The Sadhu
is a live combination of penance and tolerance. The Sadhu is a
flowing stream of compassion, good-will, equanimity and penance and tolerance.
The Sadhu is a flowing stream of compassion, goodwill, equanimity and
purity.
The twenty seven qualities of a sadhu, mentioned in the canons,
are as follows-
(1-5) observe of five great vows,
(6-10) Controller and discipliner of the five senses,
(11-14) Victor of the four passions,
(15) Truth of feeling-truth continues to resonate in his feelings and
thoughts,
(16) Truth of conduct- his behaviour and conduct are truthful,
(17) Truth of speech-there is uniformity in his speech and action,
(18) Tranquillity of mind -he is a tranquil and contented in mind,
(19) Tranquillity of speech-he is disciplined and ethical in speech,
(20) Tranquillity of body-he is disciplined in physical activity,
(21) he is forgiving,
(22) he has feelings of detachment,
(23-25) he is deeply engrossed in practices leading to purity of faith,
knowledge, and conduct,
(26) he is equanimously tolerant to pain and sorrow,
(27) he is free of the fear of death.
Illustration
:
A Sadhu carries the five
mountains of great vows (non-violence, truth, non-stealing, celibacy and
detachment) on his strong shoulders. He disciplines the five senses depicted
by eyes, ears, nose, tongue and limbs (body). He is equanimous towards
both, who bow and respect him, as well as who, driven by anger, hurt his
body and feelings. A Sadhu is not afraid of a snake or a lion and as such
the ideal example of the definition-Samayae Samano hoi (he who
is equanimous is a sramana).
The
meditation over the line 'Namo loe savva Sahunam' is done in sparkling
black colour and it enchances the feelings of patience, forgiveness, pity,
tolerance, discipline and compassion.
|