ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 01

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 225

and other Indian philosopher poets have written similar verses and even
Kabir, Rahim poems.
The only way to free oneself from the ills of possessions is to develop contentment i.e. until we set limits to our desires we cannot live happily. Possessions enhance attachment with them resulting in increased desires. Samantabhadra in Ratnakarandaśrāvakācāra echoes similar statements.24
4.0 Aparigrahavāda or doctrine of non-possession. Doctrine of non-possessions is a significant and unique contribution of lord Mahāvīra to the world. It generates peace and harmony in the society; equanimity in the nation and sense of belonging in the family. Its practice in letter and spirit only can result in the welfare of humanity. Buddhist philosopher Dr. Indra Datt Shastri while discussing aparigraha says, One should keep on reducing the self / ego (sva) to such a miniscule existence that only non-self (para) remains and the ego is extinguished'. Vedānta philosophers project eh same thing in a different manner as 'Make the self (sva) so large that the non-self (para) does not exist and only 'sva'exists.' The ultimate objective of both philosophical streams is to eliminate the difference between self and non-self and this is the spiritual non possession. Jain philosophy, being a believe in all existences as real presents the same philosophy as infatuation and says, 'differences between individuals exist and will continue to exist; existence of these differences cannot stop the development process but to get fixed to only one or few objects / things is the biggest hurdle for development. This very hurdle had been given the name of infatuation by Jains.' In this manner the doctrine of non-possession has become the alphabet of development.
To promote world peace, preaching and practicing the doctrine of non-possession has become a necessity. A closer analysis of today's burning issues like individual or social exploitation, consumerism and economic imbalances reveals lack of the doctrine of nonpossession practiced. In fact all mental energies of the entire world and individuals are focused on acquisitions and possessions. In Aparigraha one has to free oneself from both activities (acquisition and possession) only the nature of self is left for enjoyment. As per Jain philosophy, this is the ultimate objective of all beings.
24 Ratnakarandasrāvakācāra, 27
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STUDY NOTES version 5.0