Moral Disciplines

[celina]

The Swaminarayan Sampraday is well-known for its purity and ability to uphold strict spiritual disciplines. These disciplines are not simply confined to its scriptures, but followed by its devotees, right down to the youngest child. The disciplines protect and spiritually nourish the lives of people in this progressive and permissive world.



Disciplines for Sadhus

Every Swaminarayan sadhu has the ideals of panch vartman to observe the five vows by thought, word and deed.
1. Nishkam (Non-lust)
Lifelong celibacy. Not to marry. Not to keep any contact with females. Not to physically touch, write or talk to, intentionally look at, or even think of women. To overcome all objects and desires that are sexual.

2. Nirlobh (Non-greed)
Not to possess or have any desire for possessions. Not to physically touch money, or ask anyone to hoard money on one's behalf. Not to own property nor pine for any type of worldly objects.

3. Nisneh (Non-attachment)
Not to become attached to any place or person. To give up all family ties. Not to meet, talk or write to family members. To look upon all with an equal eye.

4. Niswad (Non-taste) Not to indulge in food for the sake of taste or have special preferences. To mix all food items in a wooden bowl and add water before eating.

5. Nirman (Non-ego)
Not to be egotistic. To overcome 'I'-ness. To become humble and remain a servant of one and all. To respect all and bless those who bruise, honor those who hurt and pray for those who persecute.




Disciplines for Householders
All Swaminarayan devotees are initiated into the Sampraday with the Vartman ceremony, wherein he or she takes an oath to abide by spiritual disciplines. All past actions are forgiven in the presence of God and the chance to begin a new, spiritual life is provided.

The Ekadash Niyams - the eleven disciplines are:

1. No Violence
Not to abuse, hurt or kill anyone, not even an insect.

2. No Adultery
Not to commit adultery, or excessively associate oneself with the opposite sex.

3. No Meat
Not to eat meat or take even medicines derived from meat.

4. No Alcohol
Not to consume alcoholic drinks or take even medicines mixed with alcohol.

5. No Suppression
Not to suppress or take advantage of widows or other helpless people.

6. No Suicide
Not to commit or even contemplate suicide.

7. No Theft
Not to steal, nor even pick a flower without the owner’s permission.

8. No Slander
Not to slander or blacken the character and lives of others.

9. No Vilification
Not to vilify other deities or religions. To respect all faiths.

10. No Impurity
Not to take food which is impure, not prepared with filtered water or prepared by unknown hands.

11. No Atheistic-association
Not to keep the company of atheists or lend one's ears to lectures given by non-believers.


Note: All Swaminarayan devotees also avoid the intake of onions and garlic in any form.

 

[Valjean]

Sounds very fundamentalist.

Did the compiler of this list give any thoughts to female Sadhus? Are they to eschew feminine contact as well, and associate only with men?

 

[Hema]

Did the compiler of this list give any thoughts to female Sadhus? Are they to eschew feminine contact as well, and associate only with men?

I was thinking the same thing.

So these men live in isolation away from women then? So do the women live in isolation away from men?

Hinduism allows for Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. Hinduism allows us to work for money, to have nice things and lead a comfotable life, but we must not be attached to these things as they are only temporary. We leave them when we die.

Also, living a Sanyasi life doesn't mean that we have to literally leave our families. We should make God our number one priority at all times.

If people choose to live a Brahmacharya's life, that is their choice. If everyone did that there would be no babies. Sex to me is part of life, love and creation. However, I can see how a Brahmacharya's life results in less attachment.

 

[mahesh]

Yes the Swaminarayan Sampraday initiates female Sanyasis as Sankhyogi ladies. Swaminarayan Bhagwan established this. The Acharya Patni initiates the females with a mantra.

 

[Ozzie]

The Swaminarayan Sampraday is well-known for its purity and ability to uphold strict spiritual disciplines. These disciplines are not simply confined to its scriptures, but followed by its devotees, right down to the youngest child. The disciplines protect and spiritually nourish the lives of people in this progressive and permissive world.



Disciplines for Sadhus

Every Swaminarayan sadhu has the ideals of panch vartman to observe the five vows by thought, word and deed.
1. Nishkam (Non-lust)
Lifelong celibacy. Not to marry. Not to keep any contact with females. Not to physically touch, write or talk to, intentionally look at, or even think of women. To overcome all objects and desires that are sexual.

2. Nirlobh (Non-greed)
Not to possess or have any desire for possessions. Not to physically touch money, or ask anyone to hoard money on one's behalf. Not to own property nor pine for any type of worldly objects.

3. Nisneh (Non-attachment)
Not to become attached to any place or person. To give up all family ties. Not to meet, talk or write to family members. To look upon all with an equal eye.

4. Niswad (Non-taste) Not to indulge in food for the sake of taste or have special preferences. To mix all food items in a wooden bowl and add water before eating.

5. Nirman (Non-ego)
Not to be egotistic. To overcome 'I'-ness. To become humble and remain a servant of one and all. To respect all and bless those who bruise, honor those who hurt and pray for those who persecute.




Disciplines for Householders
All Swaminarayan devotees are initiated into the Sampraday with the Vartman ceremony, wherein he or she takes an oath to abide by spiritual disciplines. All past actions are forgiven in the presence of God and the chance to begin a new, spiritual life is provided.

The Ekadash Niyams - the eleven disciplines are:

1. No Violence
Not to abuse, hurt or kill anyone, not even an insect.

2. No Adultery
Not to commit adultery, or excessively associate oneself with the opposite sex.

3. No Meat
Not to eat meat or take even medicines derived from meat.

4. No Alcohol
Not to consume alcoholic drinks or take even medicines mixed with alcohol.

5. No Suppression
Not to suppress or take advantage of widows or other helpless people.

6. No Suicide
Not to commit or even contemplate suicide.

7. No Theft
Not to steal, nor even pick a flower without the owner’s permission.

8. No Slander
Not to slander or blacken the character and lives of others.

9. No Vilification
Not to vilify other deities or religions. To respect all faiths.

10. No Impurity
Not to take food which is impure, not prepared with filtered water or prepared by unknown hands.

11. No Atheistic-association
Not to keep the company of atheists or lend one's ears to lectures given by non-believers.


Note: All Swaminarayan devotees also avoid the intake of onions and garlic in any form.

Why is the discipline for householders more rigorous than that for saddhus? By more rigorous I mean more specific.

Householders have a recipe for good discipline. Saddhus are permitted to interpret.

Or is that the object of the saddhu journey. To find the metaphorical right path themselves?

 

[michaelm]

There is a danger in being as attached to rules as to other things. I prefer the Buddhist teachings based on precepts...you choose which ones you want to follow, when you feel you are ready and interpret them as strictly or loosely as you feel is suitable.
This encourages people to 'progress' at a sensible pace, and places them in control and responsibility.

As many teachers have said, it is not necesary to become a renunciant. As Ramana Mahashi often said to those who said they wanted to renounce, 'Why go to a forest to learn who you are? If oyu can do that in a forest, you can do it at home. If you cant do it at home you cant do it in a forest, because wherever you go, it will be your mind and ego being the obstacle to Self Realisation.'

 

[Hema]

As Ramana Mahashi often said to those who said they wanted to renounce, 'Why go to a forest to learn who you are? If oyu can do that in a forest, you can do it at home. If you cant do it at home you cant do it in a forest, because wherever you go, it will be your mind and ego being the obstacle to Self Realisation.'

Excellent quote! Frubals! :yes:

 

[Ozzie]

If you cant do it at home you cant do it in a forest, because wherever you go, it will be your mind and ego being the obstacle to Self Realisation.

That is true but....it ignores the role of environment completely.

It is very difficult to uproot and seek a complete change of context in a crisis of mind and ego preventing self-realisation.

But for many of the people at least some of the time, self-realisation (however you define it ) cannot be attained without a change of context.

If reinforcement and conditioning were entirely internal processes, things might be otherwise.

 

[mahesh]

Yeah i agree. No one is saying go to the forest in Kaliyug but at the end of the day its about cleaning your enemies and following Dharm in the best manner prescribed by God in the Kaliyug.

 

[michaelm]

Very few people are ready to be renunciants. When people are encouraged or exhorted to renounce something before they are ready it has the opposite effect. You 'renounce' chocolate before oyu are ready to, and what happens? You dream about chocolate, you have chocolate awareness in your meditation, you dream about chocolate.
Renunciation is within not without. It is a process. A person will only be successful if they take the path at a reasonable and manageable pace. Why do you think there are so many sex scandals amongst priests? Because they attempted to stop themselves doing something before they were ready and able.

As all the great sages and texts say, be in the world but not of it. Renunciation can be done whilst still very much a part of the world. the Gita, no less especially stresses that you 'renounce the fruits of your actions'...note the FRUITS of your actions, not the actions themselves.

Eventually, for a very small minority, it may be appropriate to become an ascetic, renunciant monk, but only when ready, willing and able, otherwise it will do more harm than good.

 

[mahesh]

Yep i genuinely agree.

 

[Hema]

Very few people are ready to be renunciants. When people are encouraged or exhorted to renounce something before they are ready it has the opposite effect. You 'renounce' chocolate before oyu are ready to, and what happens? You dream about chocolate, you have chocolate awareness in your meditation, you dream about chocolate.
Renunciation is within not without. It is a process. A person will only be successful if they take the path at a reasonable and manageable pace. Why do you think there are so many sex scandals amongst priests? Because they attempted to stop themselves doing something before they were ready and able.

As all the great sages and texts say, be in the world but not of it. Renunciation can be done whilst still very much a part of the world. the Gita, no less especially stresses that you 'renounce the fruits of your actions'...note the FRUITS of your actions, not the actions themselves.

Eventually, for a very small minority, it may be appropriate to become an ascetic, renunciant monk, but only when ready, willing and able, otherwise it will do more harm than good.

You raise a lot of very good points! Also,what about when there is an old couple who need medical attention and support in their old age, shouldn't they be there for each other?

 

[celina]

Why is the discipline for householders more rigorous than that for saddhus? By more rigorous I mean more specific.

Householders have a recipe for good discipline. Saddhus are permitted to interpret.

Or is that the object of the saddhu journey. To find the metaphorical right path themselves?

Actually the sadhus have to follow all the precepts. Obviously the things on a householders list, have to be a given for a person to become a sadhu. Everything on the list a sadhu must follow, householders are allowed to have money, speaking to female family members(and wife) etc...

 

[celina]

Sounds very fundamentalist.

Did the compiler of this list give any thoughts to female Sadhus? Are they to eschew feminine contact as well, and associate only with men?

don't play dumb? you're not a newborn!
sadhus do not mix or associate with women ever. The rule is only relaxed in the case of emergency, if a women needs to be helped in anyway. Sadhvis(female ascetics) would follow the same vows, but they would not mix with men, obviously.

Celibate Sadhus
When your life, or that of a woman, is in danger, protect it by speaking to her or if necessary, by physically touching her.
Shloka: 182

Not fundamentalist, just traditionalist and conservative. If people don't like it them they have the option not to follow it.

Men and women are held to the same standards. Including a female aestetic and female householder devotees.

Male-Female Discipline

People often say that if the mind is pure, purity prevails everywhere. But this is misleading in as much as even the most pious or the one enjoying samadhi, if he is caught in a woman's glance, he is sure to vitiate. Similarly, if a pious woman develops contact with men, she is sure to be deprived of her chastity. Such uncalled for mixings of even pious men and women will definitely deprive them of their chastity. This is an indisputable truth. (Gad. II-35)


http://www.swaminarayan.org/scriptures/vachanamrut/gems.htm#male


Sadhu:Holy man who has renounced the world; ascetic; Satpurush.
Sadhvi:Female ascetic/renunciate.

http://www.swaminarayan.org/pramukhswami/searchingquestions/glossary.htm#Sadhvi

 

[Smoke]

Note: All Swaminarayan devotees also avoid the intake of onions and garlic in any form.

Why?

 

[celina]

I was thinking the same thing.

Hinduism allows for Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. Hinduism allows us to work for money, to have nice things and lead a comfotable life, but we must not be attached to these things as they are only temporary. We leave them when we die.

Also, living a Sanyasi life doesn't mean that we have to literally leave our families. We should make God our number one priority at all times.

If people choose to live a Brahmacharya's life, that is their choice. If everyone did that there would be no babies. Sex to me is part of life, love and creation. However, I can see how a Brahmacharya's life results in less attachment.

Not every one will live the like of a sadhu, obviously they have different rules then the majority(householders). This to keep the on a pure path. Everything and everyone has it's place.

Renunciation
Mere physical renunciation of the world without eradicating evil instincts which disturb devotion would render such renunciation vain. (Gad. II-57)

And no, Swaminarayan Sadhus aren't allowed to live in isolation. They must live among the people, but still keep their renunciate vows. This called Pravrutti Marg. To help people progress spiritually, what good is a sadhu's knowledge to the community, if he's off in a forest reading hymns? The spiritual leader obviously need to be in contact with the community.


Spiritual Grooming
In the role of the Guru, Bhagwan Swaminarayan's personal care and spiritual grooming to elevate the Paramhansas was unique. Hitherto, renunciates in India usually preferred to seclude themselves in mountains, forests or monasteries for their own spiritual endeavours. This is known as Nivrutti Marg - path of non-action. For His Paramhansas, Bhagwan Swaminarayan prescribed the tougher Pravrutti Marg - path of action, to move within society, remove samsara from the hearts of people, while still remaining totally detached. If Nivrutti Marg was a serene bed of roses, Pravrutti Marg struggled through the storms of a thorny samsara. During the invariable trials and tribulations of the latter, He inspired them by writing dynamic letters, elaborating and glorifying the vows and detailing eternal truths. These letters were later compiled and known as Vedras - the nectar of the Vedas. The sadhus upheld each word as sacred, to be obeyed zealously, thus elevating them spiritually.

http://www.swaminarayan.org/lordswaminarayan/biography/6.htm

So these men live in isolation away from women then? So do the women live in isolation away from men?

Lol, I guess you're being cute, right? What do you think? If the men sadhus live away from the women, then it's pretty easy to figure that women aren't with the men, huh?! Yes, sadhvis would live without the association of men. Househoulders can associate with the opposite sex(limitedly), family and friends, but free mixing is discouraged, for a number of reasons. Because it leads to immoral conduct etc...

Male-Female Discipline
People often say that if the mind is pure, purity prevails everywhere. But this is misleading in as much as even the most pious or the one enjoying samadhi, if he is caught in a woman's glance, he is sure to vitiate. Similarly, if a pious woman develops contact with men, she is sure to be deprived of her chastity. Such uncalled for mixings of even pious men and women will definitely deprive them of their chastity. This is an indisputable truth. (Gad. II-35)

 

[celina]

There is a danger in being as attached to rules as to other things. I prefer the Buddhist teachings based on precepts...you choose which ones you want to follow, when you feel you are ready and interpret them as strictly or loosely as you feel is suitable.
This encourages people to 'progress' at a sensible pace, and places them in control and responsibility.

As many teachers have said, it is not necesary to become a renunciant. As Ramana Mahashi often said to those who said they wanted to renounce, 'Why go to a forest to learn who you are? If oyu can do that in a forest, you can do it at home. If you cant do it at home you cant do it in a forest, because wherever you go, it will be your mind and ego being the obstacle to Self Realisation.'

In my faith you can't pick and choice what you want to follow. You follow what God taught. No one said you can't "progress" at a sensible pace, under the right Guru. Thinks take time to learn. And Lord Swaminarayan taught you should live within the times and within your means.

I don't consider Buddhism to be a real faith, just an opinion, it offers no solutions or guides to society. No moral compass. You could be a rapist and a Buddhist, just as much as you could be a saint and a Buddhist. People need to have good directions and rules, otherwise they will justify everything. Lord Swaminarayan taught us what we could and could not do. And the guide to practical daily living i.e. Shikshapatri. There is no interpretation, you can't rape, steal, eat meat, kill etc... There is no "choosing which ones you want to follow".

And no one said you have to become a renunciate. Obviously only those who have the ability to follow the strict discipline should. Nothing to complain about there. Most people will become householders and follow that Dharm. Each are noble paths, and needed in a civil society. This thread is about moral disciplines of househoulders and renuncuiates(in the BAPS sect), not just about sadhus. :yes:

Vasana(Worldly Propensities)
I hold that the householders should carry on their worldly duties sans desires but simultaneously, in the manner of the renounced ones should focus their mind on God. They should engage in worldly activities only to the extent of the divine mandate that they receive from God.(Gad. I-38)

Entrust tasks to a man for which he is best suited. Do not entrust him duties for which he is unfit.
Shloka: 66

Therefore not everyone has to become a renunciate, if he is not fit to do so.

As Ramana Mahashi often said to those who said they wanted to renounce, 'Why go to a forest to learn who you are? If oyu can do that in a forest, you can do it at home. If you cant do it at home you cant do it in a forest, because wherever you go, it will be your mind and ego being the obstacle to Self Realisation.'

No one said you have to go to a forest, your making assumptions. Renunciation isn't about getting lost in a forest. Lord Swaminarayan taught the opposite. Swaminarayan sadhus had to remain among the people, and still keep there vows. Pravrutti Marg, the path of action.

In the role of the Guru, Bhagwan Swaminarayan's personal care and spiritual grooming to elevate the Paramhansas was unique. Hitherto, renunciates in India usually preferred to seclude themselves in mountains, forests or monasteries for their own spiritual endeavours. This is known as Nivrutti Marg - path of non-action. For His Paramhansas, Bhagwan Swaminarayan prescribed the tougher Pravrutti Marg - path of action, to move within society, remove samsara from the hearts of people, while still remaining totally detached. If Nivrutti Marg was a serene bed of roses, Pravrutti Marg struggled through the storms of a thorny samsara.

http://www.swaminarayan.org/lordswaminarayan/biography/6.htm

 

[celina]

Why?

Hi Midnight.

Ok. I've answered this question before so....

In Hindu philosophy, sattva is the highest of the three gunas in Samkhya, sattvika "pure", rajasika "dim", and tamasika "dark". Onions and garlic are considered as Tamasic, and hold no good qualities for consumption. It leads to spiritual regress and isn't considered unhealthy.



http://www.swaminarayan.org/faq/bapsgeneral.htm#3

What are the basic practices of the followers of the Swaminarayan Sampraday?

A. Summary
The five most basic practices of the followers are practices that express the Hindu ideals of satya (truth), daya (compassion), ahimsa (non-violence), brahmacharya (celibacy) and asteya (non-stealing). Followers do not consume alcohol or meat. They do not steal or engage in sex outside of marriage. Followers also maintain purity of conduct and practice customs that express the higher ideals of dharma (righteous conduct as prescribed by the scriptures), gnan (knowledge of God and one's true self), vairagya (detachment from worldly pleasures), and bhakti (devotion to God).

Detailed Answer
Every religion has its own set of fundamental ideals. The followers of the religion strive to attain those ideals by imbibing a variety of practices into their daily living. As the Swaminarayan Sampraday is a branch of Hinduism, the basic practices of its followers have their roots in the fundamental principles of Hinduism.

Hindu Ideals
Hindus believe that a person is no different from an animal until he imbibes the four basic ideals of satya (truth), daya (compassion), ahimsa (non-violence), and brahmacharya (celibacy). Only then does he truly become human. Furthermore, in Hinduism, an ordinary human being becomes a devotee of God as he or she strives to imbibe the four higher ideals of dharma (righteous conduct as prescribed by the scriptures), gnan (knowledge of God and one's true self), vairagya (detachment from worldly pleasures), and bhakti (devotion to God). The basic practices of the Swaminarayan Sampraday are based on these fundamental ideals of Hinduism.
Practices that express these ideals

The five most basic practices of the followers of the Swaminarayan Sampraday are practices that express the Hindu ideals of satya, daya, ahimsa, brahmacharya and asteya. These practices, which are said to elevate a person to the level of a human being, are as follows: Followers do not

(1) consume alcohol
(2) eat meat
(3) steal
(4) engage in sex outside of marriage
(5) and they maintain purity of conduct.

In order to progress spiritually, the devotees also practice spiritual endeavours that express the higher ideals of dharma, gnan, vairagya and bhakti.

Basic practices which express dharma

Followers maintain a purity of diet. In addition to a vegetarian diet, followers do not consume onions or garlic since these substances induce the rajas and tamas gunas, which are known to lead to spiritual regress.

Followers refrain from addiction to nicotine, tobacco, marijuana, and other drugs and intoxicating substances.

Followers maintain a sense of respect for their parents and elders.

Followers donate one-tenth or one-twentieth of their earnings to the organization.

 

[celina]

Very few people are ready to be renunciants. When people are encouraged or exhorted to renounce something before they are ready it has the opposite effect. You 'renounce' chocolate before oyu are ready to, and what happens? You dream about chocolate, you have chocolate awareness in your meditation, you dream about chocolate.
Renunciation is within not without. It is a process. A person will only be successful if they take the path at a reasonable and manageable pace. Why do you think there are so many sex scandals amongst priests? Because they attempted to stop themselves doing something before they were ready and able.

As all the great sages and texts say, be in the world but not of it. Renunciation can be done whilst still very much a part of the world. the Gita, no less especially stresses that you 'renounce the fruits of your actions'...note the FRUITS of your actions, not the actions themselves.

Eventually, for a very small minority, it may be appropriate to become an ascetic, renunciant monk, but only when ready, willing and able, otherwise it will do more harm than good.

No one is encouraging everyone to renunciate, those who are fit can. This thread isn't just about sadhus, it's equally about householders daily task. Householders are expected to live "in the world" and deal with money etc... You're beating a dead horse. The Swaminarayan faith is about practicality, everyone is not a sadhu and they're not suppose to live as such. Nor are sadhus suppose to be isolated, they must live among the people. You live within your means and to the best of your ability."Regulate and adjust conduct, dealings in life, and expiation for purification, as per your age, ability, wealth, time, place and community norms." Shloka: 120. It's not a complicated concept.

Vasana(Worldly Propensities)
I hold that the householders should carry on their worldly duties sans desires but simultaneously, in the manner of the renounced ones should focus their mind on God. They should engage in worldly activities only to the extent of the divine mandate that they receive from God.(Gad. I-38)

Entrust tasks to a man for which he is best suited. Do not entrust him duties for which he is unfit.
Shloka: 66(so not everyone is expected to be a sadhu/renunciate)

Being Practical in Life
Keep away from the company of thieves, vicious persons, drug addicts, heretics, sex maniacs and deceivers.
Shloka: 27

When any serious trouble arises from natural calamities, fellow men or illness, act cautiously and carefully to protect your life and that of others.
Shloka: 119

In practical life, even with friends and relatives, do not carry out transactions of sale, purchase, transfer, borrowing, lending, payment, etc., without an appropriate document in writing, and the presence of witnesses.
Shloka: 143

Maintain a daily account of income and expenditure. Do not indulge in extravagant expenses. Let not your expenses exceed your income.
Shloka: 145, 146

Even if it be your native place or usual place of residence, leave it and migrate to a better place, especially when your prestige, property or life is in danger on account of acute famine, harassment from the wicked or the tyranny of the state authority.
Shloka: 153, 154


Continence
Do not commit adultery. Do not indulge in pre-marital, extra-marital or illicit sex relations.
Shloka: 18

But for sheer emergencies, avoid the company of the opposite sex in solitary places.
Shloka: 136



Householders
Do not indulge in extra-marital relations.
Shloka: 18

Married men and women, should be loving, loyal and faithful to one another. Do not be harsh to one another.
Shloka: 159

Do not keep the company of licentious, lustful and loose persons.
Shloka: 161

Do not have an abortion and do not keep the company of those who encourage or assist in abortion.
Shloka: 170

Religious Life
Keep the company of sadhus and pious priests.
Shloka: 36


Be honest and regular in daily life. Wake up early in the morning. Remember God and offer your daily worship to the Lord.
Shloka: 49, 50, 51

Remember God, recite His name, sing His glory, say prayers, offer prostrations with reverence, and study scriptural texts daily.
Shloka: 54 - 58

Remember God in all your activities. Visit the mandir daily. Listen to religious discourses with great reverence.
Shloka: 63, 64

In the pilgrim places and the holy shrines, be charitable and serve food to the priests, sadhus and poor worshipers, according to your means of subsistence.
Shloka: 83

Do not believe in superstitions and black magic.
Shloka: 85

As per your capacity, donate 10% or 5% of your total income as an offering to God.
Shloka: 147

http://www.swaminarayan.org/scriptures/shikshapatri/gems.htm

 

[celina]

Yep i genuinely agree.

With the corruption in the vadtal, I thing you are jealous of the purity of BAPS sadhus. Who are not involded in murder or corruption trials and lawsuits. Sad.

Envy
One filled with the sense of sheer envy always feels absolutely belittled when anybody other than himself is honoured or respected. (Sar. -3)

Under the vicious influence of envy, one is apt to malign a devotee. One should shed this instinct of envy totally. (Gad. I-4)

If at all anyone sustains a feeling of envy for another, he should try to imbibe his virtues of which he falls short and for which he feels envy.(Gad. I-4)