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JAINA CONVENTION 2011
maintaining social balance, and c) living in austerity (Tapas)and thus maintaining physical balance.
Aparigraha directs us to "Simple living and high thinking". Aparigraha leads one to the life style, which is Satyam (Truthful), Shivam (brings about all round-welfare) and Sundaram (beautiful). Observing Aparigraha one is led to progressive simplification of one's own life.
Aparigraha and Ahimsa:
Aparigraha and Ahimsa may be said to be the two sides of the same coin.
Both together lead us to social welfare and world- peace. The results of a non-violent and non-possessive lifestyle are:
a) The development of sensitivity
b) Control of ecological pollution
c) Continual growth of friendship with living beings.
Non-possession and non-violence together in practice as well as Anekantavada in thinking will bring world peace.
"Truth and non-violence are basic, but in the economic field they can only find expression in non-stealing and non-possession. Economic matters play a very big role in life and the science of morality cannot be indifferent to it, on the contrary, it is the responsibility of ethics to regulate and control it" (Ref 4)
Aparigraha and Social Welfare: Aparigraha helps society in removal of poverty, exploitation and slavery. It is the milestone for happy society and the missile for world Peace. An Aparigrahi serves the society indirectly. He thinks of the needs of others and thus develops identity with others which leads to liberation. His/ Her inclination is not only towards 'live and let live' but live in such a manner so that others can survive i.e. live for others. It makes one aware of duties rather than rights. If everyone practises Aparigraha, how pure and peaceful our world be! In the contemporary context of Globalization, the applied theory of Aparigraha can work as a good interventionists and ecological measure to retain the balance between man and nature. Mahatma Gandhi writes, "If we follow the vow of Aparigraha,
"Live and Help Live"
there will be real everlasting Peace because it will be peace through justice and not superficial peace. This will be the foundation of "Universal brotherhood".
Aparigraha and Ecology:
There is no scarcity of things in the world but out of greed we go on accumulating things. In this context, remember Mahatma Gandhi's prophetic vision "there is enough for every body's need but not for anybody's greed". Life styles need to be adjusted to seek more harmonious ecological goals. The stress on over-consumption and extensive use of natural resources in the developed countries needs to be examined in order to meet the inner harmony with nature.
Conclusion: Aparigraha as an Ideal
All cannot be Aparigrahi like monks but we can limit our luxuries and lower down our attachment. Civilization, in the real sense of the term, consists not in the multiplication, but in the deliberate and voluntary reduction of wants. This alone promotes real happiness and contentment, and increases the capacity for service. (Ref 5)
Aparigraha is an ideal condition. It can be said that an ideal is never realized perfectly. But we should not lower our ideal on this account. No one has ever been able to draw the ideal straight line of Geometry but we may not, for that reason, change its definition. If we draw a straight line, keeping the ideal in our view, we shall succeed in drawing a line which will serve our purpose.
It has been truly said that desire for enjoyment creates bodies for the soul and sustains them. When this desire vanishes, there remains no further need for the body and man is free from the vicious cycle of births and deaths.
REFERENCES:
1. Tattvartha Sutra, 1.1.
2. Prashanavyakaran Sutra, 5.1.
3.
Young India 30.4. 1925, p.149.
4.
Triveni, Vinoba Bhave, Varansi: Sarva Seva Prakashan, p. 46.
5. Mind of Mahatma Gandhi, op. cit. p. 189.
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