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DISCOURSE 3
You commit sins; yet do you desire happiness?
Only by means of Dharma, can you attain whatever enjoyments you desire, whether they are physical or spiritual. Happiness can never be attained from sins. Only sorrows result from sins. What do you desire ? You desire happiness. Don't you? If you desire happiness, you must discard and renounce sins and refrain from committing sins. You do not want to refrain from committing sins; yet you want to escape from sorrows. Is that not so? This is impossible.. In order to attain even physical delights, you have to discard sins. Are you prepared to discard sins? Are you really interested in renouncing such sins as violence, falsehood, stealing, immorality, attachment etc.
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A Listener from the Congregation: In Samsar, sins have to be committed.
Maharajashri: How many sins do you have to commit? Are you committing only as many sins as are unavoidable ? You do not commit more sins; do you? You do not commit unnecessary sins; do you? Search your inner soul. Ask your soul these questions-"Oh soul! You do not like sins. I hope you will bear in mind that sins should not be committed. Sorrows will result from sins. Alas! How many sins have I committed?" When you subject your soul to such questioning, you experience great pain, do you not? Have you questioned your soul thus? Did you get an answer to your questions? You never asked your soul such questions, because you find delight in committing sins. As long as you do not despise sins and treat them with contempt, you will not be able to love dharma and you will not be able to develop faith in dharma.
Jain Education International
I ask you with what purpose you commit sins? Why do you commit sins? Is it to attain joys? You utter lies because you think that by uttering lies, you can earn money. Is that not so? You commit a theft because by that means you hope to get a lot of money is that not so? Are not falsehood and theft sins? Don't you understand what a sin is? Now, you tell me whether you get joys or sorrows by committing sins.
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