Page 71 - Faith Personified

great acts of charity and spread the glory of religion far and
wide. Also, there are numerous examples of people lacking in
such wealth who are still victims of a negative and
contaminated mind.

When you analyse the people around you, you will realise
that they are deeply engrossed in love – hatred and attachment,
power and fame, physical and material pleasures, not only
because of external factors like wealth or fame but due to the

activation of their own previous impressions left on the soul.

Q. Then why do religious scriptures devalue wealth?

Ans. The reason goes like this – Though the negative feelings
of love, hatred and attachments are the root cause of a
contaminated mind, wealth plays an elemental role in
accelerating those negative feelings. Hence, it is devalued by
religious scriptures. A person is already egoistic and the
attainment of additional wealth nourishes his ego. Thus, wealth
is dangerous.

Q. But if this wealth is in the hands of a noble person, it

will accelerate his generosity and charity. Then, how can
you call wealth completely dangerous?

Ans. When can a noble person be generous with his wealth?
If he donates his wealth generously, how do you think he
perceives his wealth? As a saviour or destroyer? If he perceives
it as a saviour, will he give it away? But he strongly believes–

As long as this wealth is in our hands, it is sure to cause the
violence of living creatures and increase the attachment of

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