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SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY WELFARE
He pondered and pondered over this.
His companions told him, "Come Sonia ! Let us go for robbery !"
Sonia replied, "From today our paths differ."
He threw his weapons down. His inner self had awakened. He took recourse at the feet of the sage Ravishanker Maharaj. There was no end to the joy of the villagers. The Government heaved a sigh of relief.
In the village now, there is no thief or armed robbers. There is no addiction to drugs or alcohol. Sonia gave a part of his land as a gift to the whole community for the Bhoodan movement of Shree Vinoba Bhave.
One man's firmness and sincerity and the spirit of community welfare brought about a revolution in the life of a criminal village. (2) Eugenie, the sister of the King of Sweden, kept the minimum of her ornaments to herself and sold the rest and build a public charitable hospital from that money. She than served the patients in the hospital herself and looked after its general administration.
Once, a patient was deeply moved on seeing the royal princess in the garb of a nurse. Tears rolled down his eyes. The princess saw this and reacted immediately in the following words, "Today I once more see my jewels and pearls in your eyes!"
Our cities have been industrialized now, and they have grown cosmopolitan. Many people have earned lots of wealth. If they think that they could give in charity a part of their wealth and associate themselves in activities of community welfare, the society will prosper and progress. From the spiritual point of view, they will be free from their debts to the society.
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SAMUHA KALYANANI BHAVNA Jain Education International
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