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ŚRĪ VYAVAHĀRA SŪTRA
4TH CHEDA SŪTRA
A DIALOGUE BETWEEN YOGIS AND SHRAVAKS
Asceticism can be practiced when one is alone but one has to be social when in a crowd. When surrounded by a crowd we communicate with many people, transact with them and also socialise with them. Lord Mahāvīra has given guidelines on what should be the ideal behaviour between a Guru and a disciple, two disciples, two Gurus and two common people (householders - shravaks). He has explained how should, two people behave with each other on meeting. Lord Mahāvīra knew that when a person is alone or in solitude there is peace, while in a crowd there is all likeliness of unrest. Solutions for creating proper organisations so as to avoid disturbances, disputes and unrest have been given by Lord Mahāvīra in this Vyavahāra Sūtra.
Vyavahara Sūtra is essential to those who want deep knowledge of systematic and organized life styles. But as this is a Cheda Sūtra it is not appropriate to be read by common man. Only those sadhaks who have attained a high level of godliness can read this Āgama. This Vyavahāra Sūtra provides solutions to creating an atmosphere of love, peace and healthy dialogue within a family. This scripture provides solutions for creating a cordial atmosphere within families, social organizations and groups of people. Vyavahāra Sūtra is a scripture of establishing unity between people as a whole.
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