Book Title: Gandhi And Jainism
Author(s): Shugan C Jain
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

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Page 280
________________ the earlier vow of Aparigraha in two namely Brahmacharya and Aparigraha. Aparigraha as the minor vow for householders is the vow of limiting possessions and desires. Consequently the practitioner controls his limitless desires to acquire more and more." 86 This theory of limited possessions for householder is extremely important and valuable to the present world conditions. Thus Jain preceptors, who formulated the ethical code for householders in the 1st century AD, imposed this principle of voluntary limitation to one's own property and income with the object of securing complete economic stability to society. The social order based upon that principle will certainly prevent unnecessary accumulation of misery, poverty and wretchedness in many others in society. Therefore, the economic conflict will be automatically solved adjusting in matters of wealth, health and prosperity. Aparigraha as the enhancing vow (Gunavrata) is called Bhogopabhoga-parimana or limiting the possession of material objects which are to be used once (like food) and of repeated use (like house, cloths, jewels, transport means etc). Aparigraha as the Basis of Social Wellness Non-possession or non-attachment is said to be a corollary of a natural consequence of Ahimsa. Ahimsa cannot be implemented without discarding possession or attachment. If one feels attached to a certain object, one wants to harbor the feeling of possessing it with the notion that 'it is mine' or 'I should hold it for ever'. Everybody in this world wants to possess and keep the best available object in the world for him and this leads to conflicts. So in order to possess such objects, one will have to manipulate and take recourse to fair or foul means, involving anger, pride, deceit or greed. Aparigraha can be practiced in varying degrees. Simply stated it is the practice of self-restraint and voluntary control of wants, abstinence from over-indulgence and elimination of aggressive Gandhi & Jainism | Pg.257

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