10
Noble Use of Money
You benefit so much from this gnan (knowledge) by
understanding just this one sentence, so imagine how much more
can be gained if people were to read a whole book?
Questioner: Now I understand exactly.
Dadashri: Yes, those who have more money should
primarily do gnandaan.
But what kind of gnan (knowledge) should it be? It should
be the kind that will help people of the world. The products of
such charity are for the salvation of the world, not for
entertainment. People enjoy reading books and fictions but it
does not benefit them; on the contrary they regress in their
spirituality.
Abhayadaan Is The Ultimate
Abhayadaan is where one’s conducts is such that he will
not raise fear in any living being.
Questioner: Can you explain abhayadaan some more?
Dadashri: Abhayadaan means that you do not hurt any
living being in the slightest degree. Let me give you an example.
When I was in my twenties, I used to go to the movies. It would
be midnight by the time I would come home. Walking home, I
would startle sleeping dogs with my footsteps because I had
metal studs on the soles of my shoes. It occurred to me then,
what kind of person I was to startle the poor, sleeping dogs.
After that I would remove my shoes each time I walked past
them. This is what I used to do even at that young age. Don’t
you think the noise would startle the dogs?
Questioner: Yes and it would interrupt their sleep.
Dadashri: They used to get startled and naturally they
would bark. Would it not have been better to let them sleep so
that they would not disturb others as well ?