Bliss

SR No.: 006592
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Amarmuni
Publisher: Sanmati Gyan Pith Agra
Publication Year: 2010
Total Pages: 186
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 12 MB

Page 172

Non-possessiveness - a universal framework
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compliment each other. Most religions in the world crown non-violence as the highest of all values and make an implicit reference to non-possessiveness, but Jainism recognizes it as an independent principle. Without adopting the vow of nonpossessiveness, other vows cannot be effectively adopted. It is the pathway of exercizing restraint and contentment, thereby giving rise to detachment and simplicity. Lord Mahāvīra said:
One who accumulates for himself, directly or through others, or even approves of those who do so, cannot attain liberation.
If you look at ancient Jaina literature, you will see the great efforts of Lord Mahāvīra in this direction. He taught every lay disciple to stay within his boundary by adopting the fifth great vow of non-possessiveness. In commerce and trade, he taught not to cross one's justful rights. To step out of one's justful rights is to enter into conflict with one's fellowmen.
The eternal ideal of Jaina tradition is that every person must strive to fulfil rightful needs through rightful means. To accumulate beyond one's needs is considered as theft. Why do individuals, societies and nations fight? Because of this need to accumulate. Thus the seeds of non-violence can be found in non-possessiveness. From this viewpoint non-violence and nonpossessiveness can be considered synonymous terms.
Ahimsā does not stand just for non-violence against another, it signifies the great austerity of universal love, compassion and service. Not to commit violence is just one aspect of ahimsā - an incomplete austerity. In its fullest sense, it is compassion (friendliness) towards all of humanity; it stands for nurturing humanity, protecting it, freeing it of pain and other such proactive steps.
In the Praśna Vyākarana Sūtra and other Jaina āgamas, the term 'ahimsă' has sixty synonyms, in which kindness, compassion, protection are included as well. Ahimsā is considered the loftiest of all ideals in the Jaina philosophical texts, āgamas and in the roads of sādhanā. In fact, all the religions in the world propound ahimsā as the highest of ideals. The Buddhist texts call a non