$JES 901 Jainism and Spiritual Awakening E9

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 82

13- BASIC PRINCIPLES OF ETHICAL CODES OF CONDUCT
A deeper understanding of Anekäntaväda and Syädväda provides great insight into the problems of human interactions that cause conflict, grief, envy, and hatred. Similarly, it is highly applicable in understanding social problems and national strife. More importantly, these doctrines also provide ways of resolving global differences and conflicts.
Aparigraha (Non-possession)
Jain ascetics have no possessions. Similarly, Jainism advocates that lay followers should minimize their desire for accumulation of possessions and enjoyment for personal ends. This will help one's spiritual progress and acquire peace within.
Giving charitable donations generously and one's own time for social and religious projects is a part of a Jain householder's obligations. This sense of social obligation cultivated from religious teachings has led Jains to establish and maintain innumerable schools, colleges, hospitals, clinics, orphanages, relief and rehabilitation camps for the handicapped, old, sick and the disadvantaged as well as hospitals for ailing birds and animals.
Wants should be reduced, desires should be curtailed, and consumption levels should be kept within reasonable limits. Using any resource beyond one's needs and misuse of any part of nature is considered a form of theft. The Jain faith goes one radical step further and declares unequivocally that waste and creating pollution are acts of violence.
Summary
Ahimsa supersedes all concepts, ideologies, rules, customs and practices, traditional or modern, eastern or western, political or economic, self-centered or social. Non-violence in the center is guarded by truthfulness, non-stealing, chastity and nonpossessiveness.
Anekäntaväda stops the violence of thought and speech. Anekäntaväda is also called the intelligent expression of Ahimsa. Aparigraha (non-possession) stems from respect for other lives and the environment.
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