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Stream of Compassion
members thereof insist on using leather obtained only by non-violent means.
Our traditional thinking does not prevent us from raising uproar on trivial grounds. There are mothers-in-law, who taunt their daughters-in-law mercilessly; they make use of outrageous words that hit the hearts of those girls. Some of them find it hard to bear it and commit suicides. There are also daughters-in-law, who make the lives of their mothers-in-law so miserable that they have no alternative but to commit suicide. How can there be even a concept of true religion, where such cruel practices prevail?
Words have their own power. One should therefore make use of only appropriate words. When Mahatma Gandhi had the reason to get exasperated, he simply used to say, 'the world is getting crazy'. It is said that in very ancient times when one indulged in anything wrong, he was simply reproached with the words, 'hey, does this befit you? Thereby the person felt much ashamed and avoided repeating the same. This shows the importance that was attached to words. Today people can disregard even the sharpest words.
We believe in Bhäshä Samiti (Verbal meticulousness), which requires that one should remain vigilant while speaking; he should keep his verbal faculty in control. Using right and minimum words is the way to be happy as well as to make others happy and comfortable. We should not utter any word for which we may have to repent later on. Always keep in mind that the words and arrows, once used, cannot be called back.
The compassionateness that we are discussing should thus be reflected in our words; they should be kind, sweet and pleasant. True peace rests on non-violent thinking, non-violent words and non-violent action. So long as we live, we have to undertake activities; but they should be undertaken vigilantly. The great men have said that he, who walks vigilantly, speaks vigilantly, eats vigilantly and undertakes every other activity vigilantly, does not acquire Karma while undertaking his normal activities
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