Lord Mahavira and His Teachings

Author(s): Vallabhsuri Smarak Nidhi
Publisher: Vallabhsuri Smarak Nidhi

Page 39

Lord Mahavira and His Teachings
vestige of property is his body alone, and his wants are the minimum required to sustain it; and this too be voluntarily relinquishes in the end when he finds that it gives him no more aid in the practice of religion. Pursuit of pleasure is an endless game; individual inclinations and passions must be duly trained and curbed; thus indeed does one get mental poise and spiritual balance. A voluntary limitation of property is a community virtue which results in social justice and fair distribution of utility commodities. The strong and the rich should not weed out the weak and the poor but put such voluntary restriction on their instincts and possessions that the underprivileged too have a fair chance in life. Any attempt to enforce these qualities by an external and legal auhority, either on the individual or society, will lead to hypocrisy or seeret criminal tendencies. It is for sensible individuals to practise these virtues, and thus set an example from which an enlightened society will gradually be developed.
There are many elements which go to constitute the intellectual make-up of an individual: his inheritance, environment, upbringing, studies and experiences. It is this intellectual make up that shapes his conyictions, and opinions : if he lacks in intellectual honesty and integrity of expression, these letter may get perverted. All these, moreover, get a different colouring 'according to the motives and ambitions of individuals, singly or collectively. This is why one finds that unanimity of opinion or agreb ment in views is very scarce. For most of us, even Presuming that all of us are sincere, it is easier, tay Almost natural; to differ rather than agree on my