What is the root-cause of all the disorder, chaos, crime, falsehood and violence that prevail in the country today?
It is the behaviour of people contrary to the dignity of human nature that is responsible for the present situation. All the education that one receives "has no relation to human values".
Whether it be in the sphere of political behaviour or social conduct, economic activity or spiritual pursuits, all one's action are based upon the tendencies of the mind. No change in any form of activity "is possible unless the mind is changed".
That is why the wise man always proclaimed the mind is the cause of bondage and the liberation of men.
Please bear in mind -
"One who wants to change others must first change himself".
"The heart is like a lock and the mind is like a key."
There is no use blaming the government for all the evils prevailing today. The people are responsible for "the injustice, the wickedness, the falsehood and the corruption prevalent in any country".
"The people cannot disown their responsibility for the actions of a government which has been placed in power by their votes".
Whether a government is a good or bad depends on the people themselves. There is widespread talk in the country about corruption. Many come and ask me; "Sir! When will corruption end in this country? Who is responsible for this corruption?"
Is it the government?"
"No, it is the businessmen who are directly responsible for this corruption."
For their own selfish reasons and private gain businessmen have been financing those in power and making them more and more powerful.
To all businessman out there - If you businessman live up to your right principles, all this corruption can be ended in a moment. It is true that there is no one who does not desire wealth. Please note - An old proverb says:
"That even a dying person will get up, if he sees somebody offering money."
It is not surprising if, when bribes are offered, officials do not refuse them. It is for businessman to set a limit to their business and their profits and utilize their abilities for the promotion of public good....
"It is difficult to combine business with morality".
Therefore, the first requisite is to install morality in the heart and, with faith in the Divine, engage oneself in business. If this is done, the nation will benefit from the business man's effort and he will be serving society.
Today everyone talks only about what he wants. He says: "I want this, I want that." If he loses anything, he bemoans his loss. The whole life is spent in acquisition and losing and there is no peace of mind.
"Businessman have to understand the basis of human relations and cultivate harmony and understanding". Unless such a broad-minded approach is developed, businessman will not experience the bliss of the Divine.
Please remember!
How long can the pleasure derived from education, wealth, health or position last?
Like the lamp that sheds its light on all alike, you must cultivate love towards all.
While remaining in the world of business, you must keep this high goal in view and carry on your business, what ever it may be.
"Do not regard all your various possessions, houses, vehicles, wealth, etc., as permanent. There have been great emperors in the past who ruled over vast empires. When they passed away, what did they take with them?" Posterity does not care even to remember their names.
What you cannot take with you does not really belong to you. You are filled with fear, like the ticketless traveller who gets into the train. In the journey of life, if you want to travel with fear, you must have the ticket of good conscience. If you adhere to right conduct, you will have no need to fear any one.
"COMBINE MORALS WITH BUSINESS"
The world attracts man in multifarious ways, but it will not allow man's thoughts or intelligence to go beyond its own limits. Content with the satisfaction "derived from the physical world, man does not consider what is in store for him in the future. He devotes all his energies, physical and mental, and all his resources to achieving material comforts, power position and honour, but makes no attempt to show his gratitude to the society from which he derives all these comforts, wealth and position".
For right living, righteousness and character are essential. "The divine is the life-breath of man". The fulfillment of live consists in dedicating all one's energies to these objectives. Man, however does not have faith in the divine.
Because man covers his mind in a cloak of ignorance, blinkers his eyes with egoism, and closes his heart with the doors of pride.
"He forgets the Lord who created him and protects him".
Such a man is unable to listen to any teaching. He worships at the mosque, shrine, church of the sense organs. As his desires go on mounting, he is unable to listen to what is wholesome for him. He is no relish for the company of the good.
"He has no awareness of the transcience of life. He does not realize that his life and all that he enjoys may pass away in a moment. He does not recognize the passing nature of both joy and sorrow, pleasure and pain, success and failure."
Obsessed with the acquisition of wealth and power, he does not realize Divinity that is his essential nature..... "Immersed in ignorance, he wastes his life in the pursuit of impermanent things."
Remember!
"Thirst for wealth has no limit, it is insatiable."
Please understand, "Thirst and desire."
It is natural for man to have desires and thirst. But there is a difference between desire and thirst. It is natural for man, not to be content with what they have, but to desire for more and more goods and more and more comforts. But in seeking fulfillment of such desires, one should take care not to cause any harm or suffering to others. Thirst is different from desire. It is no limit. It is insatiable.
"One should earn his living by just means."
The code of righteousness lays down for men regulatory path. "Like the effulgence of the rays of sun, illumines the path which men should follow for the welfare and progress of society".
Among the laws of 'code of duties' is 'justness'.
Justness is most important. Rectitude means that one should earn his living by just means and be example to others by just living.
Please note!
"Justness consists in making no difference between oneself and others - Whatever may happen to oneself or one's relations. Whatever difficulties one may have to face, one should not swerve from the path of rectitude".
Please remember!
"Justness is like the mariner's compass. In whatever way you put it, the needle will point only towards the North".
Hence, the ideal human life should be one in which rectitude forms the basis for every action.
Please ruminate!
Today, whatever prosperity one enjoys, what ever comforts one secures, all of them are derived from society. "Some rules of conduct have been laid down for ensuring that the wealth that is earned from society is devoted to benefit of society".
In the process of acquiring wealth one may be guilty of some lapses. "It is to make amends from such lapses that one must practice charity."
Life consists of a constant interchange of pleasure and pain, joy and sorrow, heat and cold.
"Happiness is an interval between two pains."
The sour rind that covers an orange protects the sweet juice inside....
"We must look upon pain, anxiety and sorrow as the protecting cover for the peace and bliss that is experienced later".
It is a mistake to seek an unending series of pleasures and comforts in life. Real happiness cannot be found that way. Without experiencing difficulties and troubles one cannot know the value of peace and pleasure.
"When desires are controlled, genuine happiness is experienced".
Man thinks that the more he has of worldly goods the happier he would be. But, has desires grow, disappointments and trouble also increase. There should be a limit to our desires, attachments and ambition. The world is suffering from numerous troubles because of 'BRIBERY' people set no limits on their desires.
Please remember!
"Nature has prescribed limits for everything".
For the temperature of body, the capacity of the eye tolerate light or for the ear to listen to sound. When these limits are crossed, harm is caused to organ concerned.
Life itself is like a limited company. All actions in it should be growned by the limits applicable to each of them "when desires are controlled", genuine happiness is experienced. Even in practising charity, limits should be observe...
Please note!
"One's gifts should not exceeds one's financial capacity: Nor should they be below one's capacity."
In the former case, one will face financial troubles. In the latter, one will be with holding from those need what is due to them. Charity is not limited to money alone.
"One must share one's physical, mental and spiritual resources with those in need in society."
It is through such sharing and sacrifice that the awareness of the spirit is achieved.
Charity should not be indiscriminate. He should be rendered according to the needs of the case:
"The hungry must be fed - The naked must be clothed."
Although one may know how much good can be derived through (sacrifice), one does not make any sacrifice. One may aspire for wealth, but one should only seek what one is entitled or competent to get.
"A bank cashier handles 'millions' everyday, but he is entitled only to his salary. He should not desire for more money that what he can earn legitimately".
Excessive wealth carries with it many dangers. Human values are forgotten by the affluent. As long as there is wealth the evils resulting from it are not realized. "It is only when it is lost that one begins to realize one's follies".
It is better to be forewarned and learned to lead a righteous and upright life from the beginning.
Remember!
"Wealth may come and go".
"Morality is what one should cultivate."
What is morality? It is right conduct in accordance with time and place.
Utilize the wealth for right ends.
Please follow this avenues for the utilization of wealth or earnings.
1. One fourth should be used for personal use and for supporting the family.
2. Another fourth should be used for charitable and religious purposes.
3. A third quarter should be spent on other living things like animals, birds, etc.
4. The remaining fourth should be offered for supporting the state.
It is only when one's wealth is utilized in this manner will it be really beneficial and meaningful.
From Empty Hands,
A. Rahman bin Mahadi
Labis, Johore
016-6020321
17 NOVEMBER 2010
Next Topic: 1. "Masalah Pembuangan Anak Atau Ibu Yang Tidak Pernah Berkahwin"
2. "What Man Should Seek Is Not Longevity In Life But Divinisation Of Life"
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment