Jain Digest 1994 06 Special Issue

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 16

"YOUTH POWER FOR NATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT"
Talk by Guruji in Madras, India May 3, 1985
Behind the history of all religions is youth. Wherever there is faith and hope, there is youth. Youth is responsible for all kinds of stories - good and bad. Our nation has been suffering from separatism for the last two years due to the Punjab problem, and this was created by youth. On the other hand, the freedom that our nation enjoys is the 'prasad' of youth. Lord Mahavir began a big revolution for society; he did this when he was young. The same is true of Lord Buddha. You can read the history of any nation in the East or West and you will find youth are responsible for all kinds of change. Our nation needs development and strength, but without youth we can't do anything. Fortunately, our Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi is a youth. This is a big thing. We cannot imagine all the problems he must tackle.
My dear students, our subject is how we can grow, how we can develop. Mahavir taught national character. At the time of his spiritual teachings, a 'national religion' actually was appearing. Mahavir stressed one thing - that all of mankind is one. There is no division, no higher or lower, no superiority or inferiority. Mankind is one family. When you think like this you can't create any separation. Mahavir saw the spirit, the soul, the reality of all living beings. And reality is one. We can describe many differences between beings, but we can't change the essence, we can't change the reality. My dear, think what is your duty. Anywhere you see disputes and violence these people are fighting for rights. What is our duty? If you ask this question, then maybe you can consider non-violence.
Mahatma Gandhi taught that if we fight for rights, there will always be disputes and clashes. If we fight for rights we are not thinking about our duty. Mahavir said, "When you are ready to give up your rights; when you are ready to support the rights of others - this is the start of non-violence." How can we build national character? You must think the whole nation is one family. When you think what is your duty, then harmony will be created among all people. Nonviolence is the way. Non-violence is the principle by which you can serve the nation.
Page 14
Youth is power.
But think about power, power has no eyes. Power has feet, it has legs, it can walk, power can do anything. But you must put two eyes there. Two eyes, they can see, they can discriminate, they can decide. If we have right guidance, if we have the right way, we can do anything.
I am so pleased today we are considering what is the real way. We are not thinking what is our right, we are thinking what is our duty. It is our duty to help the nation, to help families from all backgrounds. If you think like this, then this is real religion.
I was in Agra once at a seminar of scholars and poets. The question arose - what is the definition of youth? Everyone gave his opinion, then one old poet stood up and read a verse of a poem. He was saying that old age is not real. If you have the power to face problems and the courage to take risks, then you are young. If you have lost your power and everytime you are afraid to take on any work, any duty, then maybe you are young by age but by mind you are old. Many people are very strong physically, they have the capacity to do so much work, but mentally they are thinking they can't. They are always afraid. By age they are young, but they are old. My dear, think about this. Organize, and do good work-but by good character and good conduct. If our character is not good, and our discipline is not strong, we can't accomplish anything.
If your thoughts are very broad and very great, then you are great. By thoughts you can become great; by thoughts you can become small. We need high thinking. If your thoughts are high, you are high. If your thoughts are low, you are low. Think about your character. How much work are you doing for yourself? How much work are you doing for others? If you are self-centered, you are sinful. If you are thinking about others, and using all your energy to serve others - man and animal, your society, your nation - then you are truely a great person. Be great and do good work. Gandhi said, "Be good and do good." This is our true direction.
I think you will do good work and share your strength in service for others. But always think that all of mankind is one, think how you can serve, think how you can dedicate yourself.
Surrender your whole power to service for others. That is the essence of non-violence. I pray for your health, for your selfrealization, for your samadhi. Think about yourself. Be good and do good.
...OM ARHUM
June 1994 Jain Digest