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APARIGRAHA - THE HUMANE SOLUTION
to confine to scriptures or monastic codes and their jurisprudence or the spiritual exercises of recluses or mendicants. It is for all of us-the social animals. The horizon of ethics is wide enough to include anticonsumertist-drive and environment - preservation movement. With this in mind, my travel of thought from consumerism to environment degradation to aparigraha, finally, as a solution has given me some satisfaction of expression,
The topic of aparigraha has been discussed in my earlier bookConcept of Pancasila in Indian thought which has become a form of basis for the essay on Aparigraha-the Humane-Solution but this has come out with revised approach and added reflections.
I would like to admit, here, that my knowledge in the areas like environmentalism is limited, not in any way near to that of erudite scientists in the technicalities of environmental science. However, I have tried to express as far as possible, my main concern about drastic environmen
mental degradation due to excessive consumerism of modern society in the following essays. I have also attempted to give a sketch of the respect Nature is given in classical Indian literature, in contrast to what it is relegated to, now.
I, strongly feel that no one would be a better judge to evaluate this humble work than the readers themselves. At places, one may see repetition of ideas but this repetition is perhaps due to related topics discussed. However, if there is any fault it would be only in the expression of ideas but certainly not in the subjects of my concern.
I take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to Prof. Sagarmalji Jain, Director, Parshvanath Vidyapeeth, Varanasi who took keen interest in bringing out this book, without his interest this book could not have come out so promptly.
I must also express my special thanks to Dr. Shriprakash Pandey, Lecturer at Parshvanath Vidyapeeth who has not only checked the proof but involved himself right from day one in the publication of this work.
I also owe a great deal to my friends and companions who have helped me in number of ways in producing this work. Delhi : 1998.
Kamla Jain
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