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JAINA CONVENTION 2011
"Live and Help Live"
Aparigraha leads one to limiting Desires (ईच्छापरिमाण)
Dr. Geeta Mehta
Dr. Geeta Mehta is a Director for K.J. Somaiya Centre for Studies in Jainism in India. She can be reached at mehtageeta40@hotmail.com
Aparigraha, one of the Anuvratas is discussed in detail. Aparigraha is limiting of one's desires and discouraging accumulation of material things. It results in multitude of benefits to individuals and society and enables others to live by sharing a part of the resources one acquires and building a healthy society.
The Jaina code of conduct is the illuminating part of Jaina Philosophy. The code of conduct of Jainas is such that by performing one's own duties, a person thinks of society and thus it leads to liberation. Classical philosophers have considered conduct as the part of proper knowledge and wisdom.
Jnana
Samyak Darshan Moksha1margah (Ref 1) Therefore all moral codes are interwoven with Dharma (Religion) which upholds the society. I will discuss only one of the Anuvratas i.e Aparigraha in this context. According to Jainism while practicing Aparigraha, one should not accumulate the things and should/she does not have anything to be stolen), not allow other to accumulate the things.
The Virtues of Aparigrahi:
Aparigrahi is innocent, fearless (because he
Charitryani
to limiting or
Aparigraha leads one to restraining Desires (iccha parimana). Aparigraha is defined in Jaina Agamas as parigraha parimana, one has to limit one's possessions. Material objects and services are limited, but consumers are too many. The desires too keep growing. As a solution to this problem, Lord Mahavira propounded the principle of limiting or restraining one's desires.
Internal Parigraha:
The seeds of Parigraha are violence, lies, stealing, covetousness, attachment, jealousy, Desire, Greed, Attachment, Sensuousness. Ownership of other things are Parigrahas. The result of Parigraha is a commitment of sins and it develops worldly cycle, results in violence.
to the present economic
The experiment in limiting desires is a challenge competitiveness. The experiment is difficult but in it alone lies the solution to the problem. The results of the lifestyle of limited desires are (a) Sharing a part of the resources one acquires; (b) Building a healthy society.
Natthi ariso paso padibandho atthi savvajeevanam savvaloe (Ref 2) Jineswar has said, "There is no other greater bondage than parigraha in the whole world".
develops equanimity, is non-violent, eager in helping others, renounces the feeling of mine,
is satisfied in his Atman and develops friendship, joy, compassion and with different persons.
Aparigraha has an immense capacity to change one's life and through that the society. All 24 Tirthankars had left their wealth and Kingdom to acquire higher Kingdom of self and Salvation. Gandhi Writes, "For me the dispossession has been a positive gain. I would like people to compete with me in my contentment. It is the richest treasure I own. (Ref 3)
Aparigraha in wider sense:
Aparigraha can be interpreted in multifaceted ways-while performing three obligations a) preserving nature (yajna) conserving energy and thus maintaining cosmic balance, b) giving to others (dana) and thus
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