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Monks 'Dilemma
Monks' Dilemma
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is it more important than helpless persons? Is glory of town there in some little success of an individual or is it in the overall well being of its entire people?"
Vijay, "It cannot be undone now. It is futile to keep on brooding over the past. Let us think about future and resolve to make every possible effort to eradicate such evil practices from the society not only in Jhadol but all over."
Deepak. "Deepti was my college mate. She is my friend. She has resolved and has committed herself to do that. She had been goading me and trying to brainwash me against the very institution of monkhood. I do not know as to why I remained obsessed with monkhood and wanted to become a monk myself. It may be in desperation or because of a feeling of repentance to punish myself with the same agony as my sister and parents were forced to bear. It may be an inherited genetic encryption in me as a result of continuing obsession persisting for generations in families of our community. It is what scientists ironically term as a god gene, a mutation of moral and behavioural gene. Genes are continuously mutating in response to evolving environment. You are right. Instead of brooding and repenting on the past we should resolve to eradicate such evils."
Vijay, "It is enough on this topic. Let us recapitulate the happy and joyful moments of our school days. It was our every day routine to come to this field, sit for long hours till late evening, talk, discuss, solve problems, do home work under the shade of this Mahua tree, cooler than even our mud houses then. The proximity of well full of water, made the breeze soothing and pleasant. My father would take us long distances inside the forest, then almost touching the agricultural
fields. We had been painfully and helplessly observing the forests, the green line, receding, and the number of trees declining and dwindling. My father used to tell us that the tribal people living all around have been given unrestricted rights to take whatever they want not only for their own bonafide use but also for sale. The rich forest contractors manipulated and exploited them by giving them little and making huge profits."
Deepak, "You remember that there was an old man living at the outskirts of the town almost as a hermit in a small hut like structure. He was very gentle and knowledgeable. He knew about varieties of medicinal plants growing in the forests and would prepare concoctions for ailing people in the town and others, free of cost. He was the first to help anyone in need and distress. He never asked anybody for financial or any material help. He lived on his meagre pension."
Deepti interrupted, "He was not like monks who are parasites and live on the labour and money of others."
Vijay was surprised at such strong acrimonious remarks, "Monks are respected by almost all or at least by majority of people."
Deepti, "They are professionals in cheating the gullible people by alluring them with rewards without effort and also inculcating fear of nonexistent providential influences. They play the same tricks as astrologers and such other crooks. They are cowards and escapists avoiding the rigours, hardships and problems of householders and enjoy at the cost of others."
Deepak, "She and I have decided to undertake a detailed research study of the lifestyle of monks, their importance, utility or futility and to write a comprehensive book."
