Page 67 - EJO0055
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Why does a father scold his son ? Why does a teacher
punish the student ? Why will an intelligent person hate
the fools ? Because, in his mind, the pride of prosperity
has sprouted. Instead, if a person understands the real
salvation,then he won’t want all this worldly prosperity
and thus there will be no place for pride and arrogance.
No space for hatred and envy.
In life, it is thus wise to consider the vision focused on
salvation and actual salvation to be the real prosperity.
Ultimately, salvation is my goal, then why not utilize this
present worldly prosperity to go closer to salvation.
Using one’s prosperity to go further away from salvation is
an act of fools. The distance between me and salvation at
present has increased considerably than the distance which
was present during the time of birth. This is because I used
all the worldly prosperity and comforts in sinful acts and thus
accumulated new karmas. This is complete foolishness.
Wise men whose focus rests on salvation constantly consider
their prosperity to be a result of Arihanta Lord’s compassion
and thus increase their devotion towards the Arihantas.
Alongwith this he increases his contact with Sadhu-Sadhvis
and devotes more time in their reverence and also uses his
prosperity to join others in the right path. This is all an effect
of a vision constantly focused on salvation.
King Samprati’s optimum utilization of prosperity :
How efficiently King Samprati used his wealth and prosperity !
He built 25,000 Jain temples, numerous lodges for pilgrims
and many charity houses. He spent his wealth and energy to
enable ignorant people staying in far-away countries to know
about Jainism and Jain Sadhu-sadhvis. He did widespread noble
acts and strived to spread religion as far as Greece, Iran, etc.
11. The True Vision 57