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

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Page 346
________________ 336 THE WAY OF LIFE when you remember the virtues of others and which impels you to experience spiritual delight at the sight of the virtues of others. You must love those great men for their virtues. A scholar has said that the English equivalent for Pramod is love. I like this equivalent for Pramod. You should love great men through the medium of virtues. In this world, people out of ignorance and infatuation, make gestures of love towards each other through the medium of selfishness. Love ..... all love - all speak of love but that is not true love. It is only a travesty of love. It is only passion rendered foul with selfishness; it is nothing else. Sensible and enlightened people love jivas only through the medium of virtues. From the Audience: In this world, we know only how to love others for money. We do not attach so much value to virtues as we attach to money. When that is so, how can there be love for a virtuous man ? Maharajashri : That is why, I exhort you to change your attitude. You love wealthy men because you love wealth. You have given value to money. You keep giving importance to such virtues as ability, politeness, renunciation, supreme objectives, benevolence etc., and naturally you will begin to love men of virtues also. In other words, you will develop a high regard for them; you will admire their virtues and you will approve of their virtues. Love only for money and beauty! From the Audience : Old people love money; young people love beauty. In the present day world, love for money and beauty has been increasing endlessly. Maharajashri : As opposed to this, in countries like America love for money and beauty has been decreasing. Thousands of Americans giving up their love for money and beauty are coming to India in search of serenity and felicity. Money and beauty can give momentary pleasures but they cannot give mental or spiritual serenity or felicity. You ask those Americans and they will tell you how burdensome and disgusting life becomes without inner peace and felicity. Well, you cannot live without enjoying the pleasures of money and beauty. But Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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