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CHAPTER X. DHARMA IN PRACTICE. The reader who has followed us thus far could not have failed to notice the correspondence between the injunctions of the Scripture and the divine attributes of pure spirit, which come into manifestation by their observance. The fact is that dharma is the nature of the soul itself, so that its ten features-forgiveness, and the like, described on page 52 ante---only represent the natural and divine attributes, or traits of character,'i,e., 'disposition,' of a pure, perfect soul.
This natural purity (dharma) increases by practice, imparting fresh vigour and strength to the soul at every forward step. It is for this reason that dharma is competent to support and sustain a soul in the moment of temptation and trial, and possesses sufficient energy to carry it to the other shore '--the ‘land' of Perfection and Bliss. It has, however, to be adopted before its assistance can be availed of in the fullest degree, though the practising of any of its injunctions-even in a second-hand* manner-is bound to bear appropriate
* The natural correspondence between dharma and the divine attributes of the soul is possible only where religion is placed on a scientific basis, and is not to be found in those cases where faith is tinged with superstition or error, except in so far as they embody the borrowed precepts of a scientific creed. Those who practise such borrowed injunctions are said to follow them in a second-hand manner.
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