Venerable Sariputra declared, not boastfully, but for the instruction of other monks, that upon examining himself, he found that there could be no event which would move him to sorrow, despair or grief. 

"But", he was asked,"Would not even the change in the Teacher cause you sorrow, despair or grief?"

"Not even the change in the Teacher would do that", the Venerable Sariputra replied. "I wish that the Teacher would remain with us for the benefit of the many, for the welfare of the many, out of compassion for the world. But his passing would not cause me sorrow or despair." And the Buddha approved of his answer.

Conclusion: Many of the conflicts have been raised among the disciples due to the attachment towards the teachers. Liberation, not the attachment to the teachers, should be the goal of the followers.