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it. The angry man burns himself before burning others. Moreover, evil cannot be cured by fresh evil; anger cannot be conquered by fresh anger. Thus Lord Mahavira has suggested "to conquer anger by forgiveness, conceit by humility, passion by simplicity, and greed by contentment:"9 Jesus Christ also said, “Resist not evil; but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. Love your enemies, bless them that curse you; do good to them that despite you and pray for them who despisefully use you and persecute you.' 10
Forgiveness is not cowardice. It is the sign of bravery. (TT TTF yo) Only those who have courage of conviction, can forgive the assailant. The forgiveness of the weak, is only hypocrisy, the defence-mechanism of the ego. According to Lord Mahavira, only the wise men can be really forgiving."
2) Humility (Mardava):
Egotism is the sign of Ignorance, contrariwise, humility is the sign of enlightenment. Humility is egolessness. It is the sweetness of temperament, word and action (Mridurbhavo mardavam). Humility is the nature of consciousness.
While the ignorant one becomes puffed up after getting knowledge, wealth, good heritage and good caste, the wise one becomes humble in the same way as the tree bows down after being laden with fruits. "To be rid of the conceit of knowledge, devotion, good heritage, good caste, strength, wealth, penance and physique, is humility."'11 According to Amrit Chandracharya, "Even in the situation of insultation, if there is no feeling of pride for caste, etc.. and there is no sense of egotism, that is called humility."12
Humility is the door to wisdom, wealth and power. Jesus has rightly said, "Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth."1s "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for their is the kingdom of heaven."14 Lord Mahavira also said. "The conceitful falls victim of adversity; the humble one qualifies himself for wisdom and wealth." According to Lord Mahavira, "Humility is the root, and salvation
9. STTTT EM F Farat ferITI I To
Wag for 11 (Tarf 77, 8/38) 10. Matthew, 5/39, 43 11. for a favor gifsai (TATTETET IT, 1/8) 12. urant us at gé: qfrwa FI
TRATTATHATratate agerat fra le a 11 (acareant 6/15) 13. Matthew, 5/5 14. Matthew, 5/5
6,4
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