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The canvas of life is larger than the 'self
facilitate following them in holistic manner. These vows were aimed at bringing about reformation and thereby a reduction in political and commercial exploitation between neighbouring villages, towns and even states, thus nurturing human society at large. Mahāvīra was opposed to the ideology of striving more than required to fulfil one's desires. Such excessive effort, he believed, was bound to overstep on another's boundaries, expectations and circumstances. Mahāvīra's vision was to create a society free of exploitation.
How can we overcome possessiveness? Mahāvīra observed that most people in exchange for charity, desire fame, popularity, power and heaven too. But charity should not be contaminated with an expectation to be rewarded. Such charity does nothing to eradicate poverty in society and in fact, increases the pride and arrogance of people. Mahāvira regarded this mentality of charity as negative. Simply giving something to someone does not qualify as charity. Giving without expectations, distributing wealth for social upliftment, to give away with the feeling of brotherhood is true charity. He pronounced:
Both beget a noble birth: a householder who gives alms selflessly and a monk who is detached."
When a benefactor gives out of compassion and caring, without feeling trapped by greed or worldly gain, then his charity is indeed true charity. The actual intention of charity is distribution. Lord Mahāvīra said:
There is no liberation for one who does not distribute his wealth wisely.?
Can we also become non possessive in our thoughts? Lord Mahāvīra also closely examined the primary concept of nonpossessiveness as pertaining to the mind. He said that every thought emerging from one's ego and every expression of attachmentisnothing butpossessiveness. Allmentalcompulsions and false beliefs, such as one caste being superior to another, any
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muhādāi muhājīvī, do vi gacchanti soggaiṁ --- Daśvaikālika Sūtra aşamvibhāgi na hu tassa mokkho -- Daśvaikālika Sūtra
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