$JES 401 Jain Philosophy and Practice 2 Level 4 Book

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 94

mind, and do exactly what you say. Discard negative tendencies such as complexity, crookedness, deception, trickery, and so on. Straightforwardness is the basic virtue of the true self. Why We Should Not Be Deceitful: Let us pause here for a moment. What is the object of all this? Why try to get rid of deceitfulness? Why try to break the chain of birth and rebirth? Sometimes we are unhappy, true; but sometimes we are happy being deceitful. Is it really worth the effort to get rid of deceitfulness? Many individuals have never got around to thinking of this seriously or even to considering it. They seem to be happy, as they are. First, no one likes a deceitful person. Even his/her family members, friends and co-workers view him/her with suspicion. Whatever promises such person may give, a constant fear persists that a breach of trust will follow. As we know, a person who subjects himself/herself to ignorance and greed, and follows the path of deceitful conduct, tells himself/herself, "Who can read my mind? I will make sure that nobody knows what's in my mind and I will achieve what I desire by deceptive talk and unreliable behavior." Such people create a situation of deception around them that will eventually entrap them. Such people will permanently lose the respect from friends, family members, and society. They do not succeed in professional, social, or spiritual life. A person with deceitfulness is always fearful, restless, and lacking peace of mind. Therefore, one should try to avoid a deceitful approach. All other virtues fail completely in a deceitful person. Like anger, ego and other passions, deceitful acts, thoughts, and speech attract more Karma and Karma creates behaviors that are more deceitful. The deceitful therefore undergoes miseries and stays trapped in the cycle of birth and rebirth. Why We Should Have Straightforwardness: Bhagawan Mahävir was asked, "What does a person achieve from straightforwardness?" The Bhagawan replied, "Straightforwardness purifies body, mind and speech. True religion resides only in the hearts of straightforward people." Straightforwardness means high ethics and integrity. Straightforwardness involves freedom from falsehood, cheating, dishonesty, trickery, corruption, bribery, and crookedness. Everyone likes a person with a straightforward attitude. The life of a straightforward person becomes natural, fearless, worry-free, devout, peaceful, and therefore righteous. Straightforward people succeed in their professional, academic, emotional, and spiritual lives. Straightforwardness is another intrinsic quality of our soul that opens the doors of Moksha. Straightforwardness stops the influx of Karma. Immense peace can be experienced with the development of straightforwardness in life. Developing Straightforwardness • Be aware that there should be synchronization of action, thoughts and speech. It is not desirable
to think something in our minds, yet express something different through our speech or actions. Be aware that greed is the root cause of deceitful behavior. The deceitful approach may have short-term material gain, but in the end, it is a losing game. Be aware that nobody likes deceitful people and the most trusted people are the straightforward ones. Be aware that straightforward people are fearless, natural, and have a peaceful life. Deceitful people are always worried, fearful, and restless. Straightforwardness means accepting when mistakes are made, not spreading rumors, not blaming others, not telling one's secrets to others, not lying, not hurting others' feelings, and so on. Be aware that a deceitful nature brings in more Karma and more Karma brings in a more deceitful nature, starting a cycle that is hard to reverse.
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JAIN PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE - 2