Way of Life Part 4

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

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THE WAYOF LIFE
You must maintain cordial relations with the members of the Sangh (the four-fold Jain society) and society in general.
HOW SHOULD ONE BE? FOR OTHERS ? FOR ONESELF?
From the Audience : We should have cordial dealings and relations with the sangh; but how should the sangh be? The sangh should be as it is described in the Nandisutra, (a sacred ancient Agam scripture); should it not be ?
Maharajashri : If you think that the sangh should be as it is described in the Nandisutra, then sadhus should be as described in the Acharangasutra (a great Agama scripture) and shravaks should be as described in the Upasak Dasha. Should not they be like that? You think of how the Sangh should be; but have you ever thought of how you should be? What is the Sangh? The Sangh is nothing but a collection of - sadhus, sadhvis, shravaks and shravikas. The sangh will be as the sadhus, sadhvis, shravaks, shravikas are.
Your dealings with the Sangh should never be ignoble. If at any time, any policy or principle or action of the Sangh is not liked by you, you should not disrespect the Sangh on that score. You should never use mean or harsh language in respect of the Sangh.
WHICH BENEFIT IS IMPORTANT ? AND WHEN ?
Those who act ignobly in their dealings with others cause harm to themselves. Those who antagonize the sangh or society face sorrow, at once. Therefore, when the question of the benefit or welfare of the family arises, forget your own benefit or welfare. When the question of the benefit or welfare of the society arises, ignore the interests of your family. When it is a question of the welfare of the country, ignore the interests of your society. When it is a question of the welfare of the country, ignore the interests of the society around you. The welfare of all Jivas is more important than the welfare of your country. The objective of securing the welfare of all the Jivas in this universe is of the highest importance.