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Appendices
so totally ignore the Christian ascetic tradition with its very deep spirituality, just because she has never had access to it. This shows how the religions have lived in isolation from each other and in mutual ignorance.
The spirit which animates these pravacanas: it is characterised by great openness. Mahāsati Umarāvakuṁvara knows well how to yoke together the essential of some doctrinal teaching and its practical application in contemporary life and society, with both of which she is very well acquainted. She points frequently to all that gives rise to attachment and shows how, by progressive purification, one may achieve the destruction of all karmas and the Liberation of the atman. She chooses her words skilfully so as not to wound, but is intransigent in her opposition to injustice, corruption, a narrow and sectarian spirit and all superficiality. She warmly encourages her hearers to manifest tolerance and respect for all human beings and to model themselves in accordance with the teaching of the dharma, which, in its essence, inculcates universal benevolence.
5. Biography
Sadhana patha ki amara sådhikā
(An unceasing pilgrim on the path to Realisation)9 Mahāsati Śri Sarală 10
a few texts from a religion or culture well known to herself. The phenomenon of atheism, to which allusion is made several times (e.g. pp. 113; 123) is depicted either in caricature or in some cliché devoid of all metaphysical content. Now an ascetic who is well-acquainted with philosophy and Jaina doctrine, should be well able to grasp the origin of this phenomenon and its implications. As for the person described as "atheist", the author depicts him as a reckless libertine, either intellectual or artisitic or any other. Even if, in order to shake the torpor of certain śrāvakas, it is good to remind them that a life of material enjoyments is an obstacle to spiritual growth, one should not use at random the words "atheism" "atheist" without previously giving at least some idea of the reality they convey.
9
Dilli, 1970; 323 pp.
10 With the collaboration of Mahāsati Śri Candanā.
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