The feeling between teacher and disciple

 

Annirhuda was a first cousin of the Buddha who had renounced following the Buddha's footsteps. Once, while the Buddha was discoursing on the Sutra, Annirhuda dozed off and was reprimanded. Annirhuda quickly went on his knees and begged for the forgiveness of the Buddha. He knew he was being lazy and stupid, and vowed never ever to sleep again.

Since then, Annirhuda worked from dawn till dusk, and then from nightfall to daybreak without any sleep at all. Several times the Buddha had kindly told him:" Sloth in cultivation is inadmissable, but working excessively without any rest is also erroneous. " He also said: " All sentient beings rely on food to survive; similarly, the eyes need rest for their nutrition."

Nevertheless, Annirhuda insisted: " I have made my vow in your presence, and I am not going break it."

Not long afterwards, Annirhuda's eyes went blind. His life in the Sangha became inconvenienced in many ways, especially when going for alms and in sewing.

However, members of the Sangha were very kind and friendly. Those who were fit and healthy would always leave some of the food they had begged for the sick and incapacitated. As far as the meals were concerned, Anniruda had no worries. In fact, his blindness had helped shut him off from the distractions around him, rendering his main focus on cultivation.

Once, Annirhuda's robe was torn. Having attempted a few times to mend it, he found he could not manage it himself.

Eventually, his three robes were so worn that he had to ask for Ananda's help. This came to the knowledge of the Buddha, who personally offered to repair the clothes for Annirhuda.

Arriving at his hut, the Buddha said to Annirhuda: " Annirhuda! Give me your thread and needle, I will mend your clothes for you."

On hearing this, Annirhuda became so anxious and moved to tears that he did not know how to respond.

The Buddha threaded the needle and took out some cloth. With the assistance of Ananda, they finished repairing the three robes towards the end of the day.

The teacher was the Buddha who possessed wholesome merits; the disciple was a blind bikshu. Between them flowed the kindly love from the teacher and the veneration from the disciple. This fully demonstrated the valuable relationship that existed between them, a good example to be followed in the Buddhist community even to this day.

 

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