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The Humanism of Haribhadra
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any other way. Also, a great soul [Vyāsa] has said so sin the Mahābhārata 3.2.47] :
"If one desires wealth for the sake of dharma, then it would be far better not to have any desire at all. Of course, it is far better not to touch mud than only having to wash it off again".
7.
But by resorting to the road to freedom, these [good results of making a fire of dharmadhyāna] will in all probability become even more splendid on earth. They will, in fact, become beneficial. There is a consensus about this in all good (and sound] scriptures.
Sacrifice and pious works, as prescribed for one having desires, do not lead to freedom. However, if one has no desire, they do. This is the only suitable way of making a fire !
V. Eight Verses on Alms
1.
Those who know the truth have said that there are three kinds of alms : The first is the one that produces all perfections. The second destroys manliness. [The third] is alms for subsistence (or survival].
When an ascetic has attached himself to meditation (dhyāna), etc., when he remains loyal to the orders of his guru, and when he never undertakes [anything bad], then [this kind of alms) is considered to bring about all perfections.
Out of a pure intention [the first kind of alms] is prescribed for the benefit of the body of householders so that an unattached ascetic roaming about like a bee can prolong his life, etc.
If a religious mendicant behaves against this and involves himself in bad karma, then this sort of alms) is said to destroy his manliness.
A fat and foolish [mendicant) piteously fills his belly with alms, [thus] degrading dharma. He simply destroys his manliness.
6.
[When mendicants] who are destitute, blind or lame, and incapable of doing anything else, roam about for alms just to survive, then this is called alms for subsistence.
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