________________
88
T
Monks 'Dilemma
Monks' Dilemma
189
EIGHT
Suryamantra does not impart any power to them as they can be stolen by thieves. They are only an instrument of meditation so that we recollect the teachings of the Tirthankara. This can be done by meditating in front of the idols without any sort of such consecration. I am told that this ceremony has cost over three crore rupees, a very large amount which could have been fruitfully utilised for very useful purposes like helping the poor and the destitute, constructing hospitals, schools, shelters and giving scholarships to deserving students etc. I also want to urge that in this age of science and technology we should have a scientific temper and should discard superstitious rituals. All that is written in scriptures cannot be true and we do not have any original of what the omniscient Tirthankara said. The monks who wrote the scriptures were not omniscient. They were all 'Chadmast' and they have themselves written that they are likely to commit mistakes. You have erected here a miniature of Meru Mountain, described in scriptures to be several thousand kilometres high, but there is no trace of it in pictures taken by geo-synchronic satellites which show areas as small as one square metre. The Moon in scriptures is described to have life (of gods and goddesses) and that human beings cannot go there but all this has been proved wrong. When scriptures were written such beliefs prevailed almost in all religions. We should accept the scientific truths and subject old concepts, beliefs and rituals to scientific scrutiny."
The president of the committee apologised for the lack of time and requested all to take their evening meal and reassemble at 7.p.m. to witness the cultural programmes depicting some important anecdotes and events from the life of the Tirthankara. He particularly requested Deepak to stay but Deepak politely declined sensing the mood of Deepti.
Vijay was busy carrying out the task entrusted to him by his friend Deepak. He selected three alternative areas for the approval of Deepak for the Trust and asked him telephonically to come and finalise any one of the proposed areas.
Deepak consulted Deepti and replied, "I thank you for taking so much trouble. We think that Vibha will be a better judge. It will be in principle an environmental project assimilating concerns of both social and physical environments. I am enclosing the power of attorney in your name and an appointment letter as advisor for Vibha for execution of projects to be taken up by the Trust. I am also enclosing a bank draft for Rs. one million to meet the initial requirement of money for land etc. I assure you to send you as much money as required. Money will be no constraint. Kindly request Vibha to devote as much time as possible for formulating whatever projects deemed suitable and necessary to give maximum benefits to the people. You need not wait for any approval and can proceed as you and Vibha think proper. We have some commitments here and shall try to come and meet you as early as possible."
Vibha was there when Vijay opened the letter from Deepak
