Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Dharma Deck: Virtue

Vitrue
Fortitude, forgiveness, self-control, honesty, purity of body and mind, sense-control, study of scriptures, meditation on the Supreme, truthfullness, freedom from anger - this is the tenfold parth of virtue.
- Manusmriti

1 comment:

Dipa said...

Thank you for your comments shivbakta. Unfortunately, I do not agree with you. All the virtues go together. There is none which can be more rewarding than another. They are all like an eternal chain, all linked together in a circle. No "link" is the first link, and no link is the last link. Lets take a look at them:

Fortitude - Strength of mind that allows one to endure pain or adversity with courage. We do not know what is coming in life, but if we have the strength to go through this, and accept what is happening, the troubled time will be easier to go through.

Forgiveness - Compassionate feelings that support a willingness to forgive. People can forgive, but they may never be able to forget. However, one needs to be able to forgive and forget in order to move on. If you do not forget, you cannot move on.

Self-control - Control of one's emotions, desires, or actions by one's own will. Sometimes in life, things do not go your own way, there is definitely a Divine power - don't meddle with it, don't be greedy and selfish and try and make something yours, which you are not supposed to have.

Honesty - The quality or condition of being honest; Integrity; Truthfulness; sincerity. Be honest not only to those around you, but to yourself as well. Only then, will you be able to be honest towards the Supreme God.

Purity of body and mind - That which has a clear conscious and body. The mind is free from evil thoughts and actions. The body which is free from the carcass's of other living creatures.

Sense-control - Controlling of the senses: taste, smell, sound, sight and touch. Control the desires which these senses may want. You control the senses, don't let the senses control you.

Study of scriptures - Study the scriptures. Become more knowledgeable, for this life is just one "tirth yatra" for all of us. Use "jignasa" - question and search for the truth.

Meditation on the Supreme -There is nothing more divine than the vision of the Supreme! Go for it, it will take time, sometimes people spend a lifetime, but, with Anuraga, you will reach there!

Truthfullness - Consistently telling the truth; Honest; Corresponding to reality; true. Be true with yourself, with those around you, and you will be truthful towards God.

Freedom from anger - Don't have krodh because things don't go your way, for the Supreme has a bigger plan. Just let go, and Let God.

I hope that this helps you understand that there cannot be one virtue which is more rewarding than another. This is just my humble opinon. Others may comment on this.