The Truth

Author(s): O P Jain
Publisher: Veer Nirvan Granth Prakashan Samiti

Page 74

OTHER ALLIED QUESTIONS
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Another misconception among people is that a person, truedy following the dharma is protected by Devas against all calamities and that he can grant boons, to others by way of wealth, children, curing of diseases, bringing rain etc. These are false ideas, as everyone has to be governed by his own karmas. Such persons can only be a help or guidance to others to adopt the correct conduct and then get benefitted
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Some people fear that dharma is not practicable in the life of a modern householder or that it is a negative approach to life. Nothing can be more wrong than this. Dharma does not prevent the following of any profession, legally and morally acceptable to the people, to earn one's living. All it preaches is that means employed must be based on truth and ahimsa. Dharma does not prevent enjoying life, provided the senses remain within control and the conduct does not cause injury to others. · Dharma can never prevent development of Art, Science and Culture and the accompanied joy they bring, provided such developments do not arouse passions and are in the true interest of all living beings. Scientific discoveries are most welcome as the give true insight into the working of the Universe and thus help Right Faith, Right Knowlėdge and Right Conduct. Modern inventions can be a great help to reduce the druggery of life and thus afford' more time and conveniences for the man to follow the path of liberation, provided they do not reduce man's physical strength and make him a slave of the machine. It will thus be seen that Dharma acts as a guide in all spheres of our activity and tries to stop misuse of our senses, art, culture, science and inventions. Can stopping of misuse be called negative approach to life? The so-called positive approach i.e., wholehearted involvement in worldly affairs without restraint, has always been proved to be sickening after some time (see the examples of countries like U.S.A.) and ultimately results in breakdown of society. It creates men whith no solid objectives of life and for whom morals have no more sanctity than force of law. Life degenerates to the level of animals who also live only for satisfying their senses. However if positive approach means selfless service of the underpreviledged; good morals, hard work, defence of the country, advancement of art, literature, science and culture, then these are welcome pursuits within the scope of Dharma provided they are carried out without any undesirable passions. Dharma cannot be practised in the full measure by one who is unhealthy or economically underpriveledged to such an extent that he remains worried to meet even his minimum necessities,