Book Title: Way of Life Part 1
Author(s): Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana

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Page 342
________________ 332 THE WAY OF LIFE VIRTUES ARE PRESENT IN EVERY JIVA Please understand a point. You cannot find in this world anyone who is completely virtuous. You cannot find a person who does not have even a single vice or weakness; and who has only virtues. In every person, there will be some fault or vice. The Jivatma who is in the guise of man has countless weaknesses and vices. Since this is the actual situation, you must see only virtues in others. Of course, this is not an easy matter. In every Jivatma there are necessarily some virtues. The only thing is that you must have the attitude of seeing virtues. If you have this attitude, you can see virtues. Virtues can be seen only if you have that attitude. If you have the tendency of seeing vices you will see only vices. Those who see vices do not experience felicity at the sight of others' happiness. Without the capacity for experiencing felicity at the sight of others' happiness you cannot attain Dharma. For countless lives, jealousy and envy have been natural for Jivas. You must aim at rooting out that defect in you. “There should not be even the slightest jealousy in my life". You must think of the benefits that accrue from the attitude of love. ADORE VIRTUES TO DESTROY YOUR JEALOUSY In order to burn away jealousy begin to adore the virtues of others. When you see virtues in others whether they are great or small, praise them. But you must be cautious about this. You should not adopt the attitude of praising the virtues of people in their presence and caluminating them deprecating their vices in their absence. I met a Sadhu. He had the habit of praising the virtues of others in their presence and condemning their vices secretly. On account of this evil habit, he had no friends. The friends he had, became estranged from him. Even the few close friends he had, kept away from him. Jealousy automatically disappears if you develop the habit of praising virtues. But you must, remember that without a capacity for seeing virtues; and without love for virtues, you cannot admire virtues. You cannot love virtues without an eye Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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