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DISCOURSE 90
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SEE THE FLOWERS OF VIRTUES AMIDST THE THORNS OF DEFECTS
Even to see a virtue as a virtue, you need an eye for virtues; otherwise, you may see vices even in virtues. You must never forget this vital point. All jivas in samsar are imperfect. In every jiva, there are countless defects. Virtues are fewer and vices are abundant. Every individual has both virtues and vices. If you have an eye for virtues you will see only virtues in others and if you have an eye for defects, you will see only defects in others.
You can be partial to virtues only when you see virtues. It is not an easy thing to see virtues in others. Even after seeing virtues in others, it is extremely difficult to admire those virtues in others because we are accustomed to praise ourselves. We have not learnt to admire the virtues and noble actions of others. Will there be quarrels among people in the sangha and society if people begin to admire the virtues of others ? Can there be hatred, enmity and jeolousy? But all these things do arise; do not they? Why do they arise ? Have you thought of this question seriously at any time? You have not thought of it. The basic reason is your indifference to virtues. You seem to think that greatness lies not in seeing virtues, not in being partial to virtues but in seeing defects in others. You give importance to defects ignoring virtues. Some people encourage vices but they do not realise it. I will illustrate this point describing some incidents.
DO NOT ENCOURAGE VICES * A boy used to visit a house in his neighbourhood frequently.
The members of that family were very good people and they had affection for him. One day, the members of the family had gone out leaving the door unlocked. He went there and sat there reading something. He noticed a bag of sugar in that house. He entertained evil thoughts. He took the sugar from the bag and carried it home. He took away half the bag of sugar. He told his father what he had done. His father praised him. The boy found encouragement for com
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