________________
APARIGRAHA - THE HUMANE SOLUTION
87
The commandments on covetousness may not appear abstruse or philosophical, but the ethical implication is clear and straight, and brings home to the people what they should abstain from : abstinence from covetuouness is the main theme. Possessions and richness are obstructions in reaching God. A greedy person becomes restless in accumulating wealth, but he does not know that he invites his own downfall. However this does not preach inactivity or laziness. It is simply a kind of caution suggesting that psychologically wealth is a source of distraction; it is a form of attachment since wherever you have your treasure you have your heart.” Jesus Christ stressed that “it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kindgom of God. 'He who lays up treasures for himself is not rich towards God.? The New Testament repeatedly points out that one should be rich in doing good deeds rather than in laying up treasures upon earth where moth and rust spoil and corrupt everything and where thieves break in and steal. The faithful should accumulate for themselves in heaven, where nothing gets spoilt. The disciples of Jesus Christ also said that greed for money and wealth is the root cause of innumerable evils and which may lead to going astray from right faith and action. Perhaps it is because of these strong exhortations that love and service for mankind has become a very pronounced theme of Christianity. Late Mother Terasa's extraordinary service to mankind and her congregation of “Sisters of Charity' is a living example. Aparigraha in Islam
Prophet Mohammad preached that the next world is as important in our life as this world which is brief and temporary, and where everything is perishable. His own life was an example of aparigraha. He had so much wealth around him but he always wore old clothes and torn shoes, since he discouraged the accumulation of wealth. Islam
1. 2. 3. 4.
Book of Sirach - 23, 4 St. Luke - 34. St. Luke - 12, 21. St. Mathew - 6, 19, 20.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
