Book Title: Jains Through Time
Author(s): Shilapi Sadhvi
Publisher: Veerayatan

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Page 241
________________ The Jains through Time 242 models for society, the Jain congregation in than simply taking them on trust. They say: particular, of how to do good for others in 'If you're a seer, a religious person, why a natural way. If there is a decline in doing don't you teach us by your own example? good, evil will prevail. If the good do not You know the right path but instead of act, the bad will. If the religious isolate going down it yourself, you keep urging us themselves, the irreligious will proliferate. to take it. Why don't you perform seva, or do Society will be plagued by violence, the good deeds that you keep telling us to viciousness, corruption and injustice. do? Wouldn't the good deeds be that much more holy, effective and inspirational if Nowadays thousands of people have taken undertaken by you? Your countless to the cloister, preferring a contemplative scriptures will remain useless until you existence. They are doing nothing and they yourself do something to show their are dependent on others. To live on the effectiveness. The impact of one good deed labour of others is to impose an performed by your own hands will be able unwarranted burden on society. In the name to create the effect that many hours of of religion and sacrifice, thousands of monks preaching from the scriptures will not. and nuns are choosing this way of life. Thousands of hands will then join you in People are repulsed by the very name of your good works. Why don't you do sacrifice. Suspicion replaces trust, disillusion something practical as well as preaching to replaces inspiration, and disapprobation us? Why do you stop there? Is it because you replaces respect for religion. are a shraman and your code of conduct does not allow it? What is the meaning of the In this scientific age people will not accept word shraman? Does it mean someone who religious teachings without question. They works hard or does it mean someone who want to approach religion in a logical and only preaches? If the practice of ahimsa is a respectful manner. They want to test things good thing, if service to humanity is a good with their own reasoning faculties, rather thing, giving knowledge to others is a good Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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