Aparigraha the Humane Solution

Author(s): Kamla Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 79

APARIGRAHA - THE HUMANE SOLUTION
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As already mentioned earlier, Jaina scriptures emphasise both aspects of parigraha; bāhya and abhayantara. These include all external objects of attachment which hinder liberation and all inner attitudes in different forms and stages such as wrong notions (mithyātva), lack of self-control or reluctance to accept moral principles (avirati), negligence (pramāda) etc.
The in-depth study of parigraha made by Jaina thinkers can be seen in the different classifications and sub-classifications of parigraha discussed in various texts. The broad classes of bāhya and abhyantara parigraha have been further sub-classified; such as bāhya or external objects of parigraha are divided into two: Cetana(living) and jada(nonliving). Cetana parigraha means attachment to all living beings such as wife, children, servant etc, jada parigraha means attachment to all lifeless objects such as clothes, house, money, jewellery etc. Abhyantara or real parigraha is subdivided into fourteen types which are wrong notions, attachment for sex, laughter, affliction, fear, disgust etc. Sthānaga Sūtra cites another classification where it is said to be of three kinds : (1) kārmaņa parigraha (2) śarira parigraha (3) bhandopakaraņa parigraha. Kärmaņa parigraha can be called abhayantara parigraha while sarira parigraha and bhandopakarana parigraha can be called bāhya parigraha. These classes and sub-classes show that parigraha is as exhaustive as himsă, as a matter of fact many of these sub-classes are just other names for himsă. All human vices pertaining to the individual himself, and to society have become parigraha or part of parigraha in these classifications. Positively speaking they show that parigraha has very extensive ramifications, and negatively speaking, they show vagueness and redundance. However, it is made very clear that in Jainism, parigraha, having such wide ranging implications, needs to be curbed and controlled. Without such control social and individual progress is impossible. The Mahāvrata for monks and nuns
It would not be out of place here to discuss the code of conduct of monks and nuns and also of lay people to throw light on the practical side, that is, how this moral principle is practised.