$JES 904 Compendium of Jainism (Jain Academic Bowl Manual 3rd Edition)

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

Page 196

CONDUCT
C11- Living Values
Some people lie, cheat or steal to get away from difficult situations or people. When people do that and are caught they feel ashamed. If they are not caught they are always scared of being found out and they feel guilty. Straightforwardness (honesty) entails being frank with others and having a high moral code. By being honest, not only do you eradicate your karma, but your life becomes natural, worry-free, and peaceful. You become more successful in all your endeavors because people trust you. Being honest is being truthful in thoughts, words and deeds. You have to have good thoughts, to say what you think and to do what you say. When truthful thoughts, words and deeds become one, a person's character becomes strong and unshakable. To live a life of truth: We should make sure our thoughts are good.
Always have good and happy thoughts. Forgive the faults of others and remember that no one is
perfect, including us. Give other persons the benefit of doubt. Say what you think.
Never think one thing and say something else. Nevertheless, while speaking the truth always remember to say it in a polite manner without hurting anyone. Prefer to remain quiet if your speech,
though honest, may hurt others. Do what you say.
Keep your word. Keep your promises. If you say you will do something, even if it is a small thing, you should do it. You should be the same in your thoughts and your actions. If you are transparent like
that you will be happy and at peace. A person who speaks the truth is trusted and loved by others. Everyone likes to be friends with a truthful person. However, a person who lies gradually loses all his friends because nobody likes or trusts a person who tells things that are not true. Not only are they unsuccessful in their lives, they also attract karma to their souls. This karma inhibits them from attaining liberation. Truth is simple. When we lie, we have to worry about covering up one lie with another. Honesty and truthfulness give us strength and peace, while deceit creates weakness and fear. The first set of values to crumble under the pressures and demands of life are honesty and truthfulness. When we lay a strong foundation for inner growth, we can withstand the temptations and compromises surrounding us. Truth is a means to inner strength, peace and the trust and love of others. Only through the virtue of straightforwardness (honesty) can you purify your mind, speech, and body. Recommended reading from Jain Stories - King Hansa 05 Greed/Contentment (Santosh) Greed (Lobha) is the cause of many of our problems. Greed is a key player in the lives of most living beings. We are never satisfied with what we have, and when we get more, our desires only multiply. Greed is known as the most difficult passions to remove, or the father of all sins. It is the root of the other passions; because of greed we are deceitful, angry, and egotistical. Living beings are greedy for wealth, material possessions, fame, beauty, and several other things. As a result of greed, people can never be truly happy- they always want more. Greed destroys relationships because when you are acting on account of greed, you do not realize what is important to you, and you resort to deceit, violence, and anger to get what you want. Greed has no bounds and it is impossible to be happy when you are greedy.
Just as fire is not quenched by the fuel and the ocean by thousands of rivers, similarly no living being is satisfied even with all the wealth of all the three worlds.
-Bhagavati Ärädhanä, 1143 Being free of greed signifies that you are content. Just because you are content does not mean that you should not acquire basic necessities or make honest efforts to earn, but you should limit your possessions. It means being happy even when you do not have everything. Even if you have more than
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Compendium of Jainism - 2015