Page 89 - Courage Redifined

(food) from such low caste houses because people may
comment, “The one who accepts Gochari from such dirty
houses, their religion must also be so dirty! ”

While we follow a million-dollar religion, our actions must
not be such that people criticize our religion.
Why should we not be instrumental in causing criticism of
religion ? Out of compassion of others.

We cannot think that, “Let people criticise religion. They will
pay for it. What can I do ?” The reason here is that if we have
the power, we should strive to stop the criticism of religion,
leave alone becoming instrumental in causing such criticism.
If someone is dying due to hunger or thirst, it is our duty to
save them by providing water or food. But can we play a role
in causing their death ? Similar is the case here.

If people criticise religion, it leads to 2 major dis-
advantages.

1) If criticism of religion is happening on a widespread scale,
innocent and normal creatures will keep away from religion.
They will think, “Why to accept a religion which is bad
and criticized all around ?” Thus, innocent people will stop
from getting attracted towards religion, stay immersed in
sins and will fall in the dungeons of hell and other low
births.

2) The second disadvantage is that those who criticize religion
eventually became Durlabh Bodhi, that is, by criticizing
religion they will bind such deep Mithyatva Mohaniya
Karmas that in the coming births they will not be able to
attain Bodhi i.e. faith in Jain religion. Poor people! They
have not attained proper religion in this birth and they
have created a position due to which they will not attain
religion in the coming births. On the other hand, if we
Ignorance : A Curse 79