________________
The canvas of life is larger than the ‘self
145
particular language being purer than another, differentiation in the status of men and women based on their physicality and forced traditional rituals were labeled by Mahāvīra as deepseated possessiveness. He encouraged freedom from them. He clearly stated that humanity is one. It has no distinctions and disparities such as caste, society or nation. No single language can be considered as pure and eternal. Man and woman are the same; no one is superior to the other. Thus, all societal and caste distinctions were described by Mahāvīra as conditional and unnatural.
Lord Mahāvīra's reflections on non-possessiveness can be summed up in five major conclusions:
1. regulation of desires. 2. shedding ownership of resources that are beneficial to
society. 3. establishment of a society free of exploitation. 4. detached distribution of one's resources for humane
causes. 5. spiritual purification.
Thus we see that Lord Mahāvīra helped raise the human consciousness from the platform of personal attachment to social altruism, and thereby, a purer state of detachment and non-possessiveness.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
