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COMPENDIUM OF JAINISM
Forgiveness is the most powerful armour of man. The law of Karma lays down: reap as you sow. Anger and violence are the chief causes of war and unhappiness. Man can regain peace and happiness by non-violence and forgiveness. They are the manifestations of the true Self and therefore their practice in life is the highest religion. He who endures, forbears and forgives knows his religion and remains free from sin; for, he has learnt the greatest lesson in righteousness.
2) Uttama Mārdava or Supreme Humility.
Mārdava or softness means humility in word and deed; it brings in freedom from self-conceit and makes man kind in his heart and meek in his disposition. Modesty is born of true education and culture. Pride or self-conceit is the greatest enemy of true knowledge, faith and understanding.
Pride or self-conceit is of eight kinds : pride of one's own caste, pride of the family in which one is born, pride of personal physical beauty, pride of learning which one might have acquired, pride of the extent of wealth possessed by oneself, pride of scriptural knowledge one might have acquired, pride of worldly gains and pride of one's strength of body. Any one of these is sufficient to pervert a man's outlook on life; it may breed rudeness and bad temper. A proud man normally becomes intolerant and blind to what is good in others. When a man becomes intoxicated with any of these causes of pride, he might indulge in self-adulation and belittle others. He might demean them and, invite anger and hatred. A self-conceited person involves himself into fruitless disputes and makes enemies of others due to his harshness of speech and conduct.
Humility is the source of compassion while conceit dries it up. Humility in man or woman shines like a diamond in any company. While it enhances reverence towards the great sages, saints and wise men it begets admiration and respect in other people. It destroys all misconceptions and wrong knowledge while creating a thirst for acquisition of right knowiedge and conduct. The mind
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