PURE CONDUCT
IS THE TRUE RELIGION
By Mrs. Nirmala Bothra
I am making a humble effort to
share with you my realizations, through thoughts and worldly experiences. My
attempt is to enable a human being to make his life a success by spending his
time in the world blessed with the beauty of Nature.
"Satya" (truth) is such
a standard that can be understood in the form of truth only, and not in the form
of untruth. I have presented in this article my thoughts about the
"Dharma" (religion) of character obtained from the Nature. The purpose
of human life is to glorify one's character. Any human being is a member of his
family; he is an incarnation of his parents. It is imperative that he has pure
character for the unity of his family and its proper direction, including the
direction of the lives of members of future generations, and for instilling
virtuous values in them. The true character is absolutely necessary for
upliftment of human civilization because men constitute families, families build
society and societies compose the world. A man is a significant unit,
contributing to the well being of the world.A men ought to purify his knowledge
and ensure its proper use so that the future of the coming generation is
brightened up. With this in view, it is said:
"There is no religious austerity like truth,
There is no sin comparable to untruth,
The Holy God resides in the heart of the true."
The objective of human life is to
discover the truth and to liberate the soul by following the path of truth. Man
has ever been struggling in the search of the truth but he can achieve the truth
only by honoring the discipline of the Nature and not disobeying its ruling.
This is the ruling of fate that each living being, desirous of salvation, has to
pass through the mortal state and he has to step forward only by fulfilling his
duty with the help of his sound mind and judgment. If he fails to make the right
use of his rationality, he would continue to achieve only his decline. A person
of such sound mind may not be able to change the land and the sky but surely can
change his thoughts and attitudes because a perfect position (state) can be
attained only after passing through the channel of perfect truth.
The path of truth is the only
perfect path. All scriptures have acknowledged "Ahimsa" --
(nonviolence) as the best "Dharma" -- (religion) and after have great
consideration recommended, three (3) steps of conduct to follow the path of
truth. The three steps are:
-
PURE "DARSHAN"
(VISION)
-
PURE "GYAN"
(REASON, KNOWLEDGE)
-
PURE "CHARITRA"
(CHARACTER)
Exacting these three virtues, a
man can lead a happy life, can attain "Vivek" (rationality) and can
follow the right "Sadacharan" (conduct). Without righteous conduct, a
man becomes even worst than animals. The training for the righteous conduct must
commence from the childhood itself because this is the right time to lay the
strong foundation on which the strong castle of character can stand throughout
life. "Vision, reason and character, nay worship, are the essence
acceptable. Only a foundation, strong, pure, well-laid can make this life worth
living.
PURE
VISION ("DARSHAN") IS THE FIRST STEP OF MAN'S ADVANCEMENT
"Darshan" (vision) implies faith in God and his reverence.
Nature's power is a special power. Man has given, only to this power, the name
of God. The universe rests on this power itself. Only on its flow, the creatures
move back and forth and will continue to do so. Buddha, Mahaveer, Ram and Jesus
attained perfect position and greatness by upholding their faith in this
infallible truth and combining pure vision, pure reason (knowledge) and pure
character. That is why the world worships them today. Idols of such noble and
holy men are sculptured, set up in temples and then adored. This power of the
Nature is neither manifest nor is capable of being presentable in a form. This
in itself is an infinite and all prevailing great energy. A temple is but a
means to impress this realization in any human being. With the help of an idol
or a picture, faith can be awakened in children. They can be inspired to trust
in this power. A mere visit to temple is not the vision; the vision is a staunch
belief in God. What we see with the eyes is not all truth. We cannot see the air
but can realize its power by its touch. Similarly, we cannot see the God, but
his power is felt everywhere. When man first came into the world, he had
nothing. No food, no clothes, no house and no knowledge of letters. But then he
achieved all these and more with the help of his rationality and intelligence.
This faculty and power is derived by him from his earlier action and supported
by nature. The power of the Nature is stronger than the human faculty. One
should take up his duty and act, keeping that power in upright view. Pure vision
helps a man to acquire pure knowledge and the pure knowledge can refine the pure
vision. These are totally interdependent. These are inseparable.
PURE
KNOWLEDGE ("GYAN") IS THE SECOND STEP OF MAN'S ADVANCEMENT
Good and bad are identified through knowledge alone. Earlier actions may
empower a man to think and comprehend but the proper or improper use of such
power depends upon his knowledge. Only through knowledge, he can decide whether
he should speak the truth or tell the lie, whether he should comfort someone or
cause grief. Knowledge makes him realize that good deeds lead to good results
and bad deeds entrain bad results. Even then, trapped by inducements, he at
times acts bad. As a result, he conscience becomes unrestful and gloomy; His
heart and mind get entangles into lack of peace. This puts adverse effect on his
mind and body. He is captivated by various diseases. Pure knowledge breeds
humanity. In the absence of humanity, a man becomes a demon. He starts behaving
against the Nature and the Nature punishes without avoidance. Man is helpless in
front of this power. He can become happy, prosperous and great only by acting in
accordance with Nature. In order to achieve good results from Nature, he has to
perform well to become entitled to good results. Pure knowledge enables good
performance. Pure knowledge is itself to act with judgment and this pure
knowledge really the only knowledge, is helpful.
"Let every home resound with the talk of Dharma.
Let the hard-to-perform become easy.
Let all acquire nobility of knowledge and character.
Then all the fruits of human life will be achieved."
PURE
CHARACTER ("CHARITRA") IS THE THIRD STEP OF MAN'S ADVANCEMENT
It is human religion derived from Nature. Without pure character, a man cannot
uplift his soul. Mahaveer, Buddha, Ram and Jesus all achieved their greatness
and perfect state by achieving the purity of character. They were liberated from
the birth and death, their souls mingled with the Nature.
THE
CLARION CALL IS: BE A CONQUEROR OF YOUR TIME
Only by honoring the tenets of pure character, man can understand the true form
of his soul. A man of noble character has only noble thoughts which help him in
the service of mankind. A man of fallen character gets distorted thoughts which
cause grief. He suffers and the surroundings get decayed. Purity of character is
a great dedication (Sadhana) and with this dedication, one gets the light of
soul, one thinks pure and acts pure. By this, he becomes great and shows to
others the direction of greatness. Man has developed societies with his
rationality and then has make the social code of conduct. He has resented
diverse thoughts and philosophies in the name of religions. To serve, to make
temples, not to eat at night and avoid fruits of roots and so on. But these good
deeds are only his duties. For better health fasts, and abstinence will keep
bodies healthy and mind in control. Misdeeds are saved. These become the
channels of refinement and purification. To obey and maintain pure character of
this kind is "Dharma" (religion). This is "Sanyam"
(self-control) and this is "Sadhana" (practice). Pure vision, pure
reason and pure character, when enacted take us to our perfect state. Since man
comes to this world for his soul's salvation, this three point program helps to
achieve success in his mission. Such a man's soul mingles with the Nature's
power. He is liberated from the cycle of birth and death. This is "Moksha"
(emancipation) the "Mukti"(liberation) and "Nirvana"
(Salvation). "The essence of knowledge is but this, extend kindness to all
who live, hurt no one, killing is not to give, the science of nonviolence is not
to miss."
A man achieves civility and religious prowess when he acquires:
* Pure "Darshan" (Vision)
* Pure "Gyan" (Reason, Knowledge)
* Pure "Charitra" (Character)
This is the way of health, happiness and peaceful life.
It lays foundation for his endeavor towards salvation.
Author's Appeal to the world
Great Nations are built on great
civilizations and great civilizations are built on family values. Three
important ingredients that make up the great family are:
* Pure Vision (Faith)
* Pure Knowledge
* Pure Character
Pure vision keeps a person
focused on the right path. Pure knowledge helps a person in realizing right from
wrong. Pure character gives him civility.
In this booklet, I have tried to summarize my thoughts based on my own life
experiences. I believe that these principles should be taught to children from
an early age at homes as well as in the schools. This is essential for humanity
to embrace rational thinking and civil behavior.
It is my appeal to educators to consider a school curriculum in moral science
which teaches a child a way of living based on these principles.
* Pure Conduct is the True
Religion.
* There is no other attainment nobler than purifying one's life.
* The nature is the exemplifying teacher for the serious students of behavior.
* Greed can be conquered by contentment and anger can be conquered by peace.
* Purity of heart is the only rule for the journey to reach god.
* Pure heart breeds beautiful thoughts and beautiful thoughts give birth to
noble deeds.
* Civility cannot be achieved without good thoughts and conducts.
* Good characters can be acquired by practicing good deeds. It cannot be bought
by money.
* Live not for existence's pleasure but for soul's satisfaction.
