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Rendering Service v/s Taking Service -
It is good to serve but to take service from some one is like enjoying that service and is equivalent to sensory enjoyment only. It feels nice when enjoyed but it is like sweet poison that kills nevertheless. The reason being that we develop attachment towards the person from whom we receive the service and we get indebted to him. The only way to repay that debt is to serve. We can return the favours received from someone only through service. It is for this reason that when we render proper and appropriate service to even our family members like father and mother, daughter or son or grandson and husband or wife when they are sick, we do not suffer the pain of losing them that much as we suffer when we do not serve them properly. In the first instance we do not repent and we are able come out of grief quickly. The grief of those who do not render proper service is much deeper and they suffer remorse for a very long time even after the departure of their near and dear ones for their other-worldly destinations. Thus, even the service rendered as a part of one's duty helps in weakening of attachment. Therefore, the spiritual aspirant must avoid taking and accepting services from the others. That is why the carrying of monastic belongings, and bringing of some things for the monks, etc., by the householders has been proscribed.
To resolve to receive service and enjoy being served are binding activities. However, if someone serves for his own pleasure a monk can accept service neutrally in order to fulfil the servant's resolve so as not to undermine his pleasure of rendering service. In such an eventuality, too, there remains the danger that the monk may give himself a false solace that he is giving the servant an opportunity for fulfilling his resolve but keeps enjoying the service so rendered on the quiet. Therefore, as far as possible the spiritual aspirant must avoid taking services from the others.
Liberation -
Liberation means freedom from bondage. Bondage means to be dependent on the others and where there is delusion and attachment,
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Jain Education International
Positive Non-Violence
For Personal & Private Use Only
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| SR No. | 006917 |
| Book Title | Positive Non Violence |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Kanhaiyalal Lodha, Dalpatsingh Baya |
| Publisher | Prakrit Bharti Academy |
| Publication Year | 2011 |
| Total Pages | 344 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 5 MB |