Jain Spirit 2002 03 No 10

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

Page 61

VIEWPOINT
SIMPLICITY ELEVATES LIFE
Wh
E ARE LIVING IN THE REAL WORLD, NOT THE WORLD OF
philosophy and postulation. A world of progress in technology and science, a world of mass media and communication, a world of politics and power struggle and a world of egoism and greed. Never before have we had such means at our disposal and so many leisure facilities. Yet are we happy? Are we content? No. We always want more. More profits, more means at our disposal and more possessions. Greed is eventually translated into acquisition of material wealth. Most people rarely think beyond mundane matters, pleasures and the apparent 'happiness' obtained from material things. Because of their greed and egoism, people indulge in activities for short-term gain and do not worry about causing harm to other living beings, the environment and ultimately themselves.
Sandip Shah encourages all to practise aparigraha
Happiness dependent upon external possessions is transitory and does not generate that deep inner contentment which people seek but fail to find. Greed is the cause of this misery. Mahatma Gandhi was right saying that there are resources enough on this earth to provide for everyone's needs but not enough for everyone's greed. We all know this, yet day after day we succumb to the 'needs' created by corporations, the media and society in general. If we have a three-bedroom semi, we 'need' a five bedroom detached, even though our family size is small. In order to pay for this large mortgage, we have to strive even harder to collect the muchneeded income. We are continually being lulled into buying by advertisers. Go into any household and you will find unused things purchased on a whim, which will eventually be discarded.
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Jainism has a lovely tenet called aparigraha meaning consciously limiting our possessions. The meaning extends to limiting the holding of positions of responsibility as well as non-sharing of knowledge for the benefit of others. It also covers things like charity, 'seva', giving part of the income towards a good cause and, above all, working for our social community as well as the community at large.
By generating wealth or other possessions due to our past
Jain Spirit March May 2002
SARTY
275
TOV
mem
We are surrounded and imprisoned by greed karmas, we tend to get lost in the transitory pleasure that these bring us and begin to think that we are the lords of the universe. Jainism says that any wealth or possessions should be treated with responsibility. As we are only the guardians, it is our duty to ensure that these are used for the right purpose.
Money will not purchase happiness for the man who has no concept of what he wants. Money will not buy intelligence for a fool, admiration for a coward or respect for the incompetent. Money is only a tool created by man to ensure a fair distribution of resources.
The world is not at peace and will never be as long as there is uneven distribution of wealth. When nearly half of the world's population is poor, how can there be peace? Yet the haves continue amassing wealth far greater than their requirements and impose their values and their products on the have-nots. More than at any other time, the world requires the teachings of Mahavir and the Jain values of non-violence and self-restraint.
The ultimate aim of any human is to be happy. But where and how is happiness to be found? Certainly not in attachment to material worldly things. We live in exile from all that we cannot afford. The pleasures that cost nothing seem worthless. Wealth in itself is innocent. The rich man in himself is innocent. But wealth surrounded by poverty is guilty. It is the possessor who is ultimately the possessed. Having and not being governs our time.
If we believe in limiting our possessions, we must give from our wealth, our time and our knowledge to the society and those who are less fortunate. We have taken resources from the society and used these to earn our possessions and status. Therefore it becomes our moral duty to give back to society. We are fellow members of the human race and not rivals in it. We are given intelligence and freedom to counteract and control the effects of hazard that underlies all existence.
Sandip P Shah teaches at the Jain School in Nairobi and is an active community leader.