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THE WAY OF LIFE
Maharajashri : This situation is not brought about by any one single cause. There are many causes for it. I will mention some of them here.
SOME CAUSES FOR THE NEGLECT OF THE ORDINARY PRINCIPLES
1. Spiritual heads have not been emphasizing the ordinary principles adequately. They have not been exhorting people to observe the ordinary principles. They exhort people emphatically to observe the special principles. Even if people observe only special principles neglecting the ordinary principles, they are honoured in society. 2. Though some people are not observing the ordinary principles they do not realise their mistake and they do not realise that they are devoid of Dharma. 3. People do not know the benefits that they derive from observing the ordinary principles. They do not know the loss that they incur by neglecting them. 4. The ordinary principles are being neglected because of the changing circumstances.
5. India came into contact with other cultures which are materialistic with the result that Indians have forgotten the ordinary principles.
6. There has been a peculiar reversal in the intellectual propensities of people with the result that they have come to think that censurable happiness is commendable.
There are many such causes for the emergence of this unhappy situation, but it does not mean that people today cannot practise the ordinary principles. They can. People must develop the attitude of living according to Dharma. They must desire to abide by Dharma in all their activities. Moreover, they need the guidance of enlightened and farsighted spiritual heads. If you seek the protection and guidance of such noble spiritual
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