________________
DEVOTION
57
Non-belief
At the time of sowing the farmer throws away the seeds into the soil. He does so in a spirit of faith that the seeds would sprout forth in future. If so, is it not desirable that you should also have faith while following the path of Dharma. But it is regrettable that the sceptical man may have faith in every worldly affair, and may depend upon future hopes, but in matters of religion he wants the return of his good deeds immediately, this very day, this very moment. Why this indecent haste to get the return of your deeds! It shows utter lack of faith in the omnipotent and omnicient god.
Scepticism
Scepticism is sin. Scepticism breeds falsehood. Where there is falsehood, there can be no Dharma. The mind of the -faithless sceptic is a dark bottomless pit in which scorpians, serpents and such other poisonous insects breed. His heart is full of poison. We should guard against such sceptics.
Ideal and Practical
True ideal is that which can be adopted seriously and sincerely in practical life, and which may be firmly adopted for ever. This ideal should not bend when hot winds of misfortunes blow, or get elated when gentle breezes of joy and happiness set in. The ideal is beyond the narrow bounds of fear and allurements. The real idealist is the man who will not deviate from his chosen path of truth even against the mightiest of storms of difficulties and hardships blowing against him.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org