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54
Journey into Jainism
A
NABORU TIL SALA LLETRWARER
MUDA WA
he had a duty to fulfil and ordered his soldiers to arrest the goldsmith and bring him before the court.
The goldsmith, in the guise of a muni, was presented to the king. Out of respect for the monastic order the king declared that he would not punish the goldsmith in that uniform. He proclaimed, "So long as he is in this dress, he will not be punished; the moment he violates this rule, he will be executed."
The goldsmith had only put on the uniform to escape death, and felt himself far from ready to accept the life of a muni. But what else could he do? He joined an order of monks and travelled with them. Eventually he chose for himself the path of detachment and renunciation. Like Metaarya, he became engrossed in meditation, performed penance, and finally attained true liberation.
