Book Title: Essence and Spirit of Jainism
Author(s): Chitrabhanu
Publisher: Divine Knowledge Society

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Page 17
________________ Let me cite here how a Muni was given a practical lesson in this matter of what pangs possession leads to, by a number of stray dogs. The Muni, engrossed in his philosophical thoughts of acquisition and remunciation, was passing through a street. He was suddenly disturbed by the savage barking of dogs. He saw that a dozen dogs were chasing one dog who was running away with a bone in his mouth. Soon they caught up with him and mauled him. Bleeding from the wounds, the dog dropped the bone and left in peace. No sooner had he dropped the bone than another picked it up, and he, too, met with the same fate; and so the chase for the bone and the consequent punishment went on. Contemplating on this ugly incident, the Muni realised the truth. So long as the dog clung to the bone, he had to bleed for it; the moment he gave it up he was left in peace. "Did not man bleed mentally and spritually to gratify his lust of for acquisition and would he not attain serenity if he renounced it?" thought the Muni. It is only human to desire, but the noblest desire for man should be to attain a state of 12

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