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Non-possessiveness and charity
boundaries of his material existence. This is to create a state of readiness in him for a higher spiritual purpose.
Today the world is in turmoil as the increasing greed for power among nations has swept all sense and sensitivity away. Every nation is trying to take advantage of the smallest of wars between other countries to fill its own coffers. This is the ugly face of possessiveness.
In the past, greed was not as unleashed as it is nowadays. If a country discovers an oil well, or another a diamond mine, all other nations immediately wish to take possession of it. Trade and accumulation are the chief aims of all wars today.
It is in these tumultuous days that the message of Lord Mahāvīra brings a ray of hope. His message clearly states that you must put the brakes on your needs. In doing so you will never breach the territory of another and cause havoc. This is an important point and it is from this that the vow of nonpossessiveness springs forth. Unless you stop accumulating beyond your needs, how can you adopt this great vow?
The next step is that of charity. Charity is the repentance for accumulation of wealth. In the context of charity, I stress on the word 'repentance'. When you give charity, do not think of it as a favour. If charity is done either for fame, or to gain respect, it is not praiseworthy. Such charity does not foster goodwill. It is a noteworthy act only if it is an act of renouncing any particular object. Moreover, charity given from a kind and empathetic heart works as an antidote to hatred and nurtures goodwill. Selfless charities help uplift societies and nations.
There once lived a king who had an able minister to assist him in the affairs of the state. They were content in most walks of their individual lives, yet they shared one common sorrow. Both of them had no children. The king often remarked to his minister that a home without a child was no home at all. They prayed fervently for a child, but to no avail.
Once, a monk arrived in their city. His wisdom and intuition inspired the people and they flocked in thousands to seek his
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