Jain Journal 1972 04

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 37

174
JAIN JOURNAL
craving for possession by the practice of a progressive self-discipline. If we carefully study the rules and vows which a householder is expected to observe, we shall easily see that a ceiling has been imposed upon the possession of wealth, property and objects of enjoyment and that there is no possibility of an unceasing and excessive accumulation of wealth, etc. at any single place for when earnings exceed the fixed ceiling instead of amassing the surplus one is obliged to spend it away and such expenditure by householders, who have been observing religious vows and practising self-discipline, cannot but flow in the direction of social welfare. Besides, a ceiling, imposed upon accumulation, curbs the avaricious desire to earn money by unrighteous means. Thus if desire is controlled, there is no further possibility of an enormous accumulation of wealth at a single place, creating serious inequalities and causing upheavals in society. If a similar rule, which is so beneficial to an individual is applied to a collectivity or a nation, it may put an end to all kinds of world-wide misery, murder and destruction.