ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 01

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

Page 227

not mean that an individual should become poor but its real meaning is to avoid his obsession to accumulate wealth. To limit desires and infatuation is the practical aspect of aparigraha. Welfare of the society is possible only when aparigraha becomes the belief and vision of all its members and enforces the desire and practice of giving up (or sharing with others), consumerism reduces and aparigrahavāda increases as a way of life. Aparigraha is not opposed to production, consumption and existence of material wealth; however aparigraha is opposed to the development of attachment and infatuation with the ownership and consumption of material wealth.
5.0 Conclusion: Those who are determined find it easier to control their wandering mind and its activities. Doubts and worries arise when we expand our desires. Expansion is like a journey that leads one away from his inner self to external non-self, while contraction or limiting desires is the reverse of withdrawing from external non-self to inner self..
Still there is time for us to limit our desires and withdraw from this painful journey safely. Expansion results in just uneasiness and discomfort and nothing else. Lord Mahāvīra made himself separate from both inner and outer selves and then he became the great and powerful. Only the one who is an expert in this art of withdrawing from both internal and external wants and desires can guide his world effectively. Effectively when the aparigrahavāda erodes itself completely from the mindset of the people, at that time the social and the national problems will get resolved and the human beings will attain the highest peace. The principles of aparigrahavāda are in front of us from 1000 of years, but we fail to follow it in the correct and right spirit. If it would have been followed properly than, there would not have been any violence in the world.
The principle of aparigraha helps the humans to overcome greed, attachment, and cravings. Not only for the monks abut also for the lay followers this vrata, is amūlavrata and important one. It helps us to follow the other vratas. Not only for the individual, but also for the society and nations it is very helpful.
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STUDY NOTES version 5.0