The Truth

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

Page 84

OTHER ALLIED QUESTIONS
75
Some people go even to the extent of celebrating solemn occasions and happy events with flesh food and hope to invoke divine blessings. It does not stand to reason as to how happiness can result by an act which has already resulted in the misery of another living being. They say, as you sow, so will you reap.
All talk of universal love and stoppage of wars becomes a mere hypocrisy, unless we practice love and mercy in everyday life towards all living beings. How can love and mercy be partial and selective ? Infact we only talk of these virtues and do not practice them. That is why, we are nowhere near universal brotherhood.
To make the world happier needs far reaching social, political and economic adjustments which depend upon the co-operation of many others. But this single step of avoiding killing of animals for one's own sake will be our great contribution to the above cause.
6.6 Morality : In the modern society, there is lot of talk about morals and an impression is sought to be produced that the present society has a much higher culture. Morals include honesty, truth, non stealing, equality, love, service to those in distress etc. No doubt, these are laudable virtues and will go a long way in raising the cultural standard of a society. But the practice of these qualities requires a considerable self control and restraint on one's desires. A man will not normally be willing to accept such controls unless he is convinced that this will result in lasting good to himself. So 'morals cannot be practised in isolation from the spiritual philosophy behind them. But the modern society talks of morals and ridicules religion. Morals are merely considered as a necessary code of conduct for good relations in a society. Morals are thus given only a working importance and do not reach the inner conscience. Force of laws is the only fear for a man to follow the morals. Individual interest may have to be sacrificed for the good of the greatest numbers. The individual and the society are not always at one on the ethical side of life and a man tries to byepass social laws or escape detection whenever he can make a big gain. Under such conditions, even when a society appears morally advanced on the surface, it may be quite degenerated morally behind the scene, because there is no urge from within to follow these morals. This is exactly what is happening nowadays. Outwardly, we appear very polished, helpful and straightforward in our dealings, but all our actions are selfish, full of deceit not only on personal level