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214
MOKSHA MARG PRAKASHAK
going to take food is not possession. And hoarding as well as wearing the clothings, etc. is certainly possession all everywhere and is known such in the world.
Further, if you will say- “They (the monks) keep the clothings, etc. for the purpose of maintaining the body, there is no feeling of attachment or mineness, that is why these are not termed possessions.” But in belief the moment one becomes a right believer, from the same moment the feeling of attachment or mineness in all kinds of non-self substances is finished; so from that point of view, you should accept the fourth Gunasthana itself as a state of possessionlessness. And if the attachment of mineness is not there in the conduct or proclivity then how do they (monks) keep them? Therefore, only when relinquishment of accepting and keeping clothings, etc. would take place then only one will become possessionless.
If you say-"If someone takes away his clothings, etc. then he (the monk) does not become angry and when he feels hungry then he does not sell them and by wearing cloths, etc. he does not become reckless, rather by developing unperturbed state of thoughts engages himself in religious activities, so there is no feeling of attachmentor mineness." Though he may not be found to be angry outwardly, yet there will necessarily arise the feeling of dejection in the deprivation of those things, in the possession of which he has feeling of affection and agreeableness. If he does not have the feeling of agreeableness then what for does he beg these commodities? The reason why he does not sell any of these possessions or things is the avoidance of the feeling of inferiority caused due to keeping of money. But keeping of money, etc. is like keeping of cloths, etc. In the world the Jivas who long for possessions desire both types of possessions. Hence, keeping both types of possessions are alike from the point of view of fear of stealing by thieves, etc. And ifkeeping of possessions is allowable for the sake of maintaining unperturbed state of thoughts then some body would follow religious practices by maintainingunperturbedness of thoughts by putting on quilt when he feels severe cold. According to you, such a person should also be called possession less? Thus, what difference would remain between the householder's religion and the monk's religion? The one who does not have the strength of enduring the
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