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acquisitiveness. Six external penance are periodic fasting, eating below appetite, giving up consumption of some items of food, clothing, living comforts either completely or limiting their quantity, regular devotion to religious activities and facing suffering or disability with equanimity and without tension. Developing the instincts and practice of generosity and charity also promotes the mind-set of non-possessiveness. Charity may take the form of AHAR (giving food to the necdy), AUSHADHI (distributing medicines to the needy), GYAN (imparting knowledge to others), and ABHAYA (refuge and protection to the deserving). Tatwartha Sutra says that charity lies in helping others in a self-less manner without expecting anything in return. Such acts undertaken voluntarily and with pleasure tenu to purify one's soul as well as create goodwill, fellow-feeling and fraternity in the society. Consistent with this concept, Gandhiji enunciated for the rich classes the Trusteeship principle and exhorted them to share their wealth for the welfare of the poor. Practiced with strong will power and enthusiastic resolve, aparigraha brings tremendous soul-satisfaction and peace of mind, strengthens one's self-confidence, and builds invaluable inner reserve of strength to withstand crisis situations. Thus, aparigrahainspired charity or generosity is not only helpful to the recipient, but in the first place rejuvenating and joyous for the donor by bringing contentment to him. Symbolising large-heartedness, aparigraha promotes social harmony and mutual supportiveness in the society. Basically inspired by the philosophy of Aparigraha, Jain community in India as well as now abroad has emerged in the front ranks of philanthropists with exemplary record of helping the poor and the needy in the fields of education, healthcare. disaster relief and social welfare. The psychology of aparigraha is not one of feeling forced to do it as a religious ritual, or a kind of suffering imposed, but of a task undertaken with enthusiasm, willingness, conviction, delight and positive orientation.
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A Portrait of Jain Religion
Jain Education International
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