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LET ALL ENJOY WELFARE (Auto-biography of Mahavira)
It is about thirty years of my wanderings-on-foot after acquirement of perfect knowledge. During this period, I have taught, with my utmost capacity, the path of non-violence to the people for making their lives happy. It is the dark fourteenth day of the month of Kārtika (Oct-Nov) I am staying in the beautiful garden of the city of Pava. I got ill sometimes ago. Some incidents have also made me painful. All this made me think. "I am at the dead end of my life". However, I wished to meet my disciples. Fortunately they came to see me.
Chapter - 20
I told them, 'O my dear disciples, the field of religion and spiritualism is like a school or hospital. The teacher or the doctor is the authority their. If they are disregarded, the people cannot improve their lot. There are many teachings of mine, which are all time true. The concept of non-violence, poly-viewistic attitude and keen insight and the like belong to this category. They should be utilised as per the times, region and country. The behaviour and practices also change as the thoughts undergo changes. The practices also get changed with the time. All of you should have this point in mind. You should rectify them as per the times by adopting a practical approach. You should not be superstitious. My teachings of today might have to be modified tomorrow. However, the fundamental concepts may remain the same, but their practical form may to changing".
"The people, in general, have a confusion that the man can attain perfect knowledge only when he adopts the path of renunciation and lives in the forest. However, I wish to emphasize that we have persons like Ananda--the rich man who have acquired the knowledge comparable to us by residing in the home itself. I also told you that
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