Way of Life Part 3

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

Page 78

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THE WAY OF LIFE
with affluent people is beneficial and good. You love to be intimate with those who are in power because such people weild a lot of influence in society. "Brother! he is very intimate with a business magnate; Brother.... this man has an intimate connection with the Prime Minister !" People look with wonder and respect upon those who have intimate connections with men of affluence and influence; do not they? People also fear such men; don't they? "Keep away from this man! He knows many people in the government and he is very influential! He may some day cause harassment to us". Or people say about another man: "That man has connections with high officials! He does not even speak to us. He has become very arrogant ! It does not matter. Let an opportunity arise. We shall show him his place". If a person does not possess some special virtue, he cannot have a place in the hearts of the people of the world; and he cannot attain spiritual development without fear and agitation.
Society must respect and adore those who possess noble virtues and those who embody lofty virtues. If men of virtues and those who are partial to virtues are honoured in society, that will inspire other people in society to adore and acquire virtues because people love honour more than wealth; and men sacrifice wealth for the sake of honour and prestige. That is why when in the cities some societies or associations organize some religious or cultural programmes, they invite some benevolent and philanthropic men to preside over the functions and they also present addresses to those noble men and felicitate them. Newspapers and magazines publish commendatory articles about them along with their photographs.
People see all this: and some wealthy people are inspired by those events to render charity and to do deeds of benevolence. "Benevolence" also is a special virtue. Therefore, benevolent people should be honoured and appreciated. In the same manner, men of noble character and those who practise the austerity of celibacy must be appreciated and honoured. Honouring does not mean merely presenting an address of felicitations to such noble men. Honouring them means appreciating them,