________________
Harmony and Straightforwardness
The people were curious and assembled at the place of gallows to witness the punishment. Sudarshan's wife was, however, sure that her husband was chaste and that he would never indulge in rape. She went on a fast and called upon the Divine help to come to the rescue, if her husband was chaste by body, words and mind. The goddess in charge of the Order came and released Sudarshan from the gallows.
That type of harmony cannot come back unless there is a change of heart. But that cannot occur easily; one has to get prepared for it. That requires change in tendency, because nothing can help unless the tendency is transformed. Religion can lead to purification of the tendencies. That purity would not allow him to go in for possessiveness; even the slightest possession would become burdensome to him. He would feel uneasy with it the way one feels uneasy with the growth of hair and goes to a hair cutting saloon. Similarly, if one renounces everything or at least develops detachment at heart, he would gain respect and reputation.
Rich people sometime think that they are the saviors for the society. Out of vanity they feel that even the monks need their help. This needs to be changed. A gentleman once offered a donation of Rs. 300,000 to an institution. The manager of the institution accepted only 100,000. The next year the gentleman offered 200,000, out of which the manager accepted 100,000. The third year the gentleman offered 100,000 and the manager accepted it.
Thereupon the gentleman asked, “Since the institution was willing to accept Rs. 300,000 in all, what was wrong in accepting it the first time?” The manager replied, “We need Rs. 100,000 every year; accepting 300,000 at a time would have required us to deposit 200,000 in the bank. We are working with the faith that the required amount would come forth as and when necessary. Accepting Rs. 300,000 at a time could come in the way of that faith. Moreover, it could have raised a sort of vanity in your mind.”
It should be noted that the mode of donor is more important than the amount of donation. There should be a sense of pleasure in giving.
67
