Aparigraha the Humane Solution

Author(s): Kamla Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 69

APARIGRAHA - THE HUMANE SOLUTION
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an approach is associated with religious rigorous practices and its fundamentalism. Aparigraha is a realistic, practical and rational principle with a solid foundation in the social system. It has individual moral growth as its basis, with direct relevance for the society of which the individual is a part. Its main thrust is on a balanced society consisting of balanced individuals. In fact, all ethical principles have evolved for individuals in and through the society to which they belong. The importance of aparigraha and its universal acceptance lies in its social basis. It is a principle which not only has a place in Jaina ethics or Indian ethics but it occupies a place in Christianity and Islam also as we shall see later.
Meaning of the term
The meaning of aparigraha and other similar terms mentioned earlier would be understood clearly only after the term, 'parigraha' is understood and analysed in all its aspects and their completeness. The term 'aparigraha' -non-possession, non-grasping - has its root in the term 'parigraha' which means to amass, to grasp, to accumulate, to compile, to seize, to hold, to fence in and to receive or accept possessions or property. Etymologically, it consists of two terms: 'pari' and 'graha'; 'graha' is rooted in 'grahana' meaning to take hold of, to accept or to receive or to possess something; 'pari' means round, round about, abundant, rich or fullness. Thus, parigraha means acceptance or taking or receiving gifts or other possessions. It is also defined as that which entangles one from all sides.1 Aparigraha, which is recognised as one of the five ethical principles, is just the opposite of this. Iccha-parimāṇa, parimita-parigraha, parigraha-parimāņa are essentially Jaina terms but in some form they exist in other systems of Indian ethical thought. The above-mentioned terms reveal a practical or realistic implication rather than being too abstract for a 'man in the society'. It has both outer implication of limitations of possessions, and inner implications of nonattachment, detachment, anāsakti or amūrcha, - the finer nuances of aparigraha. These gross and subtle implications together imply an attitude,
1. parigrahaṇam parigrahaḥ- Aṣṭādhyāyī- Pāņini