Way of Life Part 1

SR No.: 006513
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana
Publication Year: 1986
Total Pages: 432
Language: English
Classification: Book_English & Religion
File Size: 22 MB

Page 133

DISCOURSE 7
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demonstrate firmly opinions and beliefs separately. Study the life-science that can give you knowledge of all the living beings. Understand the nine principles that are systematized and organized into a single harmonious whole. You do not pay attention to the philosophy which is easily available to you; and you wander about in search of other philosophies. Be cautious lest you should lose your way and go astray.
Question : Can we not go to places where we can hear good doctrines expounded?
Answer: What is good ? Is it good, if it is entertaining to hear? Is it good if it is delightful to hear? What is good and what is evil ? Can you distinguish between them? Do you know that certain things which appear good outwardly may be bad inwardly? Appearances are deceptive. Do you know that ? Children like sweets even if they are mixed with poison because they see only the outward form of sweets but they do not see the interior poison. This kind of thing happens even in the matters relating to Dharma. Outwardly, certain theories appear to be fair but inwardly they are foul. You become sensible and enlightened; then there will not be any anxiety. An intelligent intellect is of the greatest importance. Until you acquire such intellectual incisiveness do not go to listen to all sorts of people. Do not read the literature written by all sorts of people. Otherwise, you will be entangled in confusions. Confusions and complications are harmful in matters relating to the soul, and in the other-worldly and transcendental matters. Clarity is essential in those matters. The road must be clearly visible. The Dharma expounded by the Jineshwar Paramatma shows a clear way to attain spiritual elevation. But you have to understand the Dharma; and for this, you must study Dharmagranthas, listen to discourses on them; and you must contemplate on those ideas and assimilate them
The acharyashri is explaining the real nature and meaning of Dharma. In this phase, he says that Dharma means those spiritual activities which agree with indisputable doctrines. He says that the authenticity of spiritual activities depends on