Page 90 - Courage Redifined

would not have given them a chance to criticize religion
and ensured that others appreciated our religious activities,
then they would become Sulabh Bodhi i.e. reserved Jain
religion in their future births. But providing them wrong
reasons to condemn religion will surely drag them away
from this priceless Jain religion.

“Not getting Jain religion in the coming births, getting dragged
away from religion” means that one develops a feeling of
irritation and hatred for religion and likes to stay engrossed in
sinful activities. Thus, he is bound to suffer in a series of bad
births. Thus, we can say that the one who criticizes religion
and the one who hears such criticism are both at fault. Both
of them are engaged in sins and eventually end up in bad
births. But it can be said that the real culprit is the one who
gave a chance to criticize religion in the initial stage. How
great is this crime ? By giving a chance to criticize religion,
he made the speaker as well as the listener devoid of religious
sentiments, thus keeping them away from the acquisition of
religion in future.

To avoid such a situation by feeling sorry for the consequences
that innocent people will have to suffer, one should avoid
becoming instrumental in such criticism of religion.

If you can understand this, then you will be able to understand
the reason behind the prohibition to give Diksha to a person
from a low class in spite of his detachment towards the world.
Innocent and ignorant people will condemn the religion which
accepted him. As a result, becoming a saint, may prove
beneficial to his soul, but it may harm the spiritual welfare of
many other souls for a long time. Shouldn’t such carelessness
be avoided ?
Other reasons as to why a person hailing from low, scheduled
caste should not be given Diksha :

80 Courage Redefined