Mokshamala

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 50

Lesson 65: Concept of happiness, Part 5
*From all this description you might feel that I am happy and in general it is not wrong to consider me very happy. It is not possible to describe the pleasure that I derive by resorting to morality, religion, scriptural precepts and virtuous conduct. From the fundamental point of view, however, I cannot be called happy. There prevails the sense of attachment and aversion so long as I have not given up all internal and external possessions. Though it does not prevail at a deeper level, there does stay involvement pertaining to the said possessions. I hold firm aspiration for being disentangled, but so long as it does not materialize, there would stay some concern for separation of so-called dear ones, loss or damage in practical life and misery of the relatives. Moreover there constantly stays the danger of death and diseases of various types. As such, I do no consider myself happy so long as I have not been disentangled, have not been freed from external as well as internal possessions, and have not given up subtle violence.
*You would now realize that happiness does not consist of wealth, wife, children or family relations. If those aspects constitute happiness, where had that been when I had fallen from the crest? The happiness, which is going to be lost, which is momentary, which is not singular and unobstructed, is not true happiness. Hence I do not consider myself happy. I was conducting my business very thoughtfully, but I cannot state that I did not indulge in immorality or deception. I had to resort to several types of ventures and deceptions. You are thinking to gain wealth by worshipping a deity, but that can never be gained without the wholesome Karma.
'Gaining wealth and vast undertakings, deception and arrogance etc. are the causes of great sins. Sin leads to the infernal level. By committing it one wastes the valuable human life. That exhausts wholesome Karma and leads to acquisition of unwholesome one. I believe that a discerning person would not get inclined to gain wealth and to face the problems of worldly life.
'I have told you about my purpose in gaining the wealth. Now do whatever you like; you are learned and I love the learned ones. If you like, you can stay here with your family and remain busy with wholesome meditation. I am willing to make arrangements for your livelihood the way you like. Here you can study the sacred books and impart the instructions about truth to others. I wish that you should not get involved in the temptation of unnecessary troubles; you are, however, free to do what you like.
Brahmin: What you have said based on your experience is worth pondering over. You are really great; you are the man having wholesome Karma leading to wholesome one; you are a man with discernment and have amazing capabilities. What I was thinking by virtue of being tired of the poverty was one-sided. I did not think of all the viewpoints with discernment. Whatever be my learning, it is a fact that I do not have the experience and discernment that you have. I thank you very much for the plan that you have proposed and I am willing to accept the same in all humbleness. I do not intend to undertake unnecessary trouble; I very much appreciate your saying that getting entrapped in wealth invariably leads to troubles. The worldly life is truly ablaze; no happiness lies there. Your adoration of happy monastic life is correct. That is the true path, because it leads to dispensing with all troubles, worries, diseases as well as ignorance and serves the purpose of attaining liberation.
Lesson 66: Concept of happiness, Part 6
Gentleman: I am very happy that you have liked my proposal and I will make adequate arrangements for you. Meanwhile let me express the essence of my thinking about what we have talked over.
“Those, who remain totally involved in deception, greed or illusion for the sake of gaining wealth, are very unhappy. They cannot avail the wealth fully or partially, they merely undergo the trouble of procuring it. They commit many types of sins and the death takes them away all of a sudden. They are destined to the