ETHICAL CULTURE OR THE PROCESS OF PURIFICATION

[Ms Tercy Lonan]

ETHICAL CULTURE OR THE PROCESS OF PURIFICATION
The very root and core of all moral discipline is mental purification through refraining from
all evil action and the active practice of virtue. Do good at all times. Ahimsa, Satya and
Brahmacharya symbolise the three processes of avoiding sin, sticking to virtue and
Self-purification.
All harm arises out of man’s egoism. The ego manifests itself as ambition, desire and lust.
Under their influence man indulges in hatred, love, flattery, pride, unscrupulousness, hypocrisy and
delusion.
To eradicate egoism arising out of Deha-Abhimana (body-idea), think constantly on the
foulness and perishability of the body and the pains arising out of the senses. Reject them as evil and
mentally rise above them. Dwell upon that which is desirable, elevating and divine.
Improper action—thoughtless action without discrimination—gives rise to all misery. To
get freedom from misery, the noble path of virtue—Sadachara—is to be followed. Rigidly observe
truth and purity in your thoughts, speech, actions, inner motive and general conduct. Be loving,
tolerant and charitable in your opinion of men and things and in your dealings with others.
In every sphere, the individual should strive to adhere to these qualities and to manifest
them. Thus, this ideal is to be practised between parents and children, elders and youngsters,
teacher and pupil, friend and friend, Guru and disciple, leader and follower, subject and ruler, and
nation and nation.
You must proceed along the path of virtue. Be determined never to swerve even an inch
from Dharma. The mind has to be carefully trained and the will should be developed and
strengthened. Therefore much importance has been laid by the ancients upon Yama, Niyama and

Shat-Sampat (six treasures of virtue). The mind and will must be exercised and disciplined through
deliberate acts of self-denial and self-sacrifice in everyday life. Ethical culture, therefore, demands
moral vigilance and right exertion. The development of a sensitive conscience and positive
admiration for goodness and nobility plays a great part in ethical culture.