Way of Life Part 2

Author(s): Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana

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THE WAY OF LIFE
to pursue them. It is a misfortune that our governments are devoid of Dharma. Even if the present government loses power and some other party comes to power, these sinful occupations will continue. In all the countries of the world, to-day, governments have become merchants. Do governments care for the doctrines relating punya (merit) and sin? What relationship is there between governments and Dharma ? They aim merely at materialistic prosperity. The aim of all people in this world also is materialistic prosperity. In the present-day world, people think that only that occupation which brings in money, should be pursued. That is why to-day, violence of the most terrible kind has appeared everywhere.
VIOLENCE SWAYS IN THE COUNTRY; AND IN THE WORLD
In the country and in the world, violence is being encouraged. Liquors pervade the whole world. Falsehood and stealing are considered professions. Such terrible sins as lechery and prostitution have gained the status of amusements. The propaganda in support of meat-eating is going on with great zest and gusto. Eggs ! vegetarian eggs! What an eloquent propaganda has been going on in support of the so called vegetarian eggs! You have to live in this world; and you have to keep yourselves free from these evils. You can keep off these evils only if you are extremely careful and cautious. Attractive and alluring advertisements about prohibited and objectionable occupations and business are published in newspapers; and the audio-visual media are used to publicize them. Do not such advertisements appear ? If you are influenced by such advertisements, you will be enmeshed in sin, and you will be ensnared. You should not get ensnared thus. Certain professions and occupations may not be objectionable in the eyes of the government or in the eyes of avaricious and mercenary people but if some occupations and professions are objectionable and blameworthy in the eyes of enlightened people and in the eyes of people who possess a spiritual vision, you should not pursue those objectionable and blameworthy occupations which are opposed to the principles of Dharma. Non-a-days, even in our non-violent Jain society,