“I apologize for speaking so candidly about the principles
of Dhamma, but my intentions are good. Nothing malicious is
intended in my remarks, regardless of what misconceptions you
may have. Since the very beginning of my stay here, I have tried
to do everything in a careful, restrained manner, for I know that
this is your home and I’m concerned that my presence here may
inconvenience you. Although I am well aware that you’re an indi-
vidual who delights in looking for things to criticize, I still can’t
seem to avoid being seen in a disparaging light. I myself experi-
ence genuine contentment, unaffected even by constant criticism.
But, I worry that the repercussions of your dogged pursuit of evil
will be extremely unpleasant for you. I did not come here in search
of wickedness or evil. Being quite sure that everything I do and
say emanates from a pure heart, I have no fear that my actions
will incur any unpleasant moral consequences.
“As soon as intelligent people begin to understand the dif-
ference between secular matters and spiritual ones, they tend to
appreciate virtuous conduct, admiring all wholesome, meritorious
actions performed for the sake of peace and happiness. From ages
past, the wise have always taught living beings to feel good about
being virtuous. So why do you adhere to the maverick notion that
it’s all right to strip yourself of virtue and wallow in evil? You seem
to detest virtue so dreadfully much that you can’t be bothered to
reflect on your own vices. Although I won’t be experiencing the
dire consequences that await you, still I fear for you in that mis-
erable state. You must stop thinking in ways that are harmful, for
the mean intent behind your actions has the power to deprive
you of all moral value. Such undesirable consequences, bringing
unimaginable torment, are what I fear more than anything else
jacob rumans
(Jacob Rumans)
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