________________
318
THE WAY OF LIFE
can attain the delight of knowledge. In the Jin shasan, there were countless shravaks and shravikas who possessed excellent scriptural and spiritual knowledge. Even today we can see many such shravaks and shravikas.
When the delight of knowledge increases, the delight in sensual enjoyments decreases. Experiencing the delight of knowledge is the right means to decrease your attraction for sensual delights. In this connection, I remember the story of a great scientist. Of course, this is not a case of a man experiencing spiritual knowledge; it is the case of a man enjoying the knowledge of the physical world yet it is the delight of knowledge.
WHAT IS CONCENTRATION?
There was a great scientist by name Thomas Alva Edison. He made more than one hundred scientific inventions. The name Edison is unforgettable in the world of science. Edison's marriage was being celebrated. Many relatives and friends had come to attend his marriage but on the day of the marriage, Edison was not to be seen in the house. They searched for him in the house and in the neighbourhood. His parents were greatly anxious. His sister also was greatly worried. The time fixed for the marriage also was fast-approaching. All the members of the family were greatly agitated. Meanwhile, a close friend of Edison's came there. Edison's father said to him, "Edison is not to be seen. We have been searching for him from the morning. Do you know where he has gone ?" Edison's father was shedding tears. Edison's friends said to him, "Did you look for him in all the places where you are likely to find him? Did you look for him in his laboratory ?" Edison's father said, "No, we have not gone there".
The friend went to the door of the laboratory. The door had been bolted from inside. He knocked on the door but the door was not opened. Again, he knocked on the door loudly. "A voice replied from within, "Wait! I will open the door". The door was opened and Edison stood before his friend.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
