Jain Spirit 1999 10 No 02

Author(s): Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 21

LIFESTYLE
LESS IS MORE
Low much is enough? is a
question often asked by Jains when discussing the concept of 'aparigraha' or non-possession. Enoughness is subjective, and Jains should constantly aspire towards greater simplicity in their lives, argues Satish Kumar.
The Emptiness of Excess, the Fullness of Restraint
Satish Kumar
In Jain Scriptures great importance is given to the value of restraint. It is said that the triangle of a spiritual way of life, dharma, consists of non- violence, restraint and renunciation.
the dominant ideology of our time is to conquer and control nature and constantly add to and accumulate material possessions. This is called a high standard of living.
needs. But a great deal of time is spent on doing monotonous, unpleasant and soul-destroying work to acquire these gadgets, and when they have been acquired even more time is spent in using, repairing, maintaining and replacing them. Often, many of these things sit in attics gathering dust. Garages and garden sheds are filled with unused items, and yet we go on acquiring more and more.
The principle of restraint is very relevant in our modern world; particularly the Western world. We live in a consumer society. We are encouraged to buy, to shop, to possess and to expand our material wealth incessantly. We think, live and work as if there are no limits.
According to the Jain tradition, we should not only overcome our greed, but even reduce what we consider to be our need. Cars, washing machines, dish-washers, TV sets, videos, CD players, computers, and umpteen other gadgets have come to be considered as basic
It is not that people are naturally greedy and acquisitive. It is the media and advertising industry which constantly work to cajole, persuade, entice and pressurise people into buying what they neither require nor desire. Governments also demand of their citizens that they consume at an increasing rate in order to keep the economy going and people employed. Consumerism has become a patriotic policy. Because people are so busy in the business of consumerism there is little time left to make, to create, to sing, to dance, to enjoy, to celebrate and to be. No time for the family, friends, or neighbours.
In this age of materialism we are persuaded to live under the reign of quantity. Jainism believes in the reign of quality. It wants its adherents to ask themselves three types of question before acquiring new possessions:
1) Do I need it? Can I live without it? If I have lived without it for so long, why can I not live without it in the future?
New York: Greed capital of the world?
Photo: Punit M. Shah, Adanta
20 Jain Spirit • October - December 1999