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 63

DISCOURSE 3
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how can you be polite to Sadhus (mendicants)? Dharma cannot exist in the absence of politeness and discretion. Bhagwan Mahavir Swami has said, fauro TT. The roots of Dharma lie in humility and meekness. Dharma begins with meekness. When you are not humble and meek towards the Paramatma and Sadhus, can you be humble and meek towards your parents? Can you be humble towards elders? Do you salute the feet of your parents three times a day?" त्रिसंध्यं नमनक्रिया.You have to salute your parents at three sandhyas, in the morning; at noon and in the evening. Do you know this? How do you perform the salutation? There can be no true salutation without politeness. Politeness is absent; but false pride has increased.
From the audience : We feel ashamed of making such salutations. We feel shy.
Maharajashri : Who feels shy? You or your children ? Your children may feel shy. That is because you as parents have not set a noble example to your children. If your children see you saluting your parents, they would also surely salute you. You have not set an example to your children. Have you given them an example! Yes! You have set them the example of disgracing parents, of treating them with contempt and of scolding them. Remember this. Your children will treat you in the same manner in which you treat your parents. There was a little lacking, and you have completed it by sending your children to convent schools and to colleges. You have made them puppets of pride! How can there be humility in proud people? Without humility, how can there be politeness? How can proud people live by Dharma ? Man should be taught politeness in his childhood.
Politeness is the Foundation
The children that are meek and obedient to their parents will be polite and obedient to their teachers also. They will be polite to elders in society. They will be humble and polite to Sadhus in religious centres; and they will be polite to the Paramatma in the temple. Meekness must begin in the impressionable stage of infancy. How did Jivaraj Seth show humility to