Page 102 - Desire to Disaster

Appendix -3 (Refer Page No. 71)

Question : Why are those who became the nimitta {catalyst}
of paapa guilty? Will people stop sinning if there
is an absence of nimitta? A sinner suffers the
consequences of his own sins. Why should others
be held responsible for his misdeeds?

Answer : It is true that from beginningless time, people have
sinned because of their own innate tendencies. These
tendencies can be modified. One who develops
religious and spiritual tendences may not sin. But
it is observed that even such a ‘reformed’ character
may start sinning once again, the moment such
opportunities present themselves. It is the basic
nature of a cat to chase and kill rats. Even if you
prevent it from eating one particular rat, it will
hunt and kill other rats. But should one therefore
offer it rats to kill and eat? The one who offers
rats to the cat is not innocent. He is the nimitta in
the killing of the rat. Hence, he is guilty of being
the nimitta. Similarly, although worldly people are
strongly inclined towards sensual indulgence, one
must not be the nimitta in their transgressions.

For example, by wearing revealing clothes, indulging in
erotic conversations and actions, etc. one plays the role of
nimitta in stirring the passions of others. Hence, one is guilty
of igniting their base passions.

It is exactly because of this nimitta that people indulge in
grave sins and end up taking birth in the lowest life forms.
They endure great misery and suffering due to their own
delusion and acts of stupidity and folly. But whoever is the
catalyst is guilty of being the nimitta in their downfall.

102 Desire to Disaster