Pristine Jainism

Author(s): S M Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 81

(78) : Pristine Jainism
bright (good) aspects of human activities has been illustrated by example of process of collection of fruits of trees. The intensity of good and bad activities have been given the term 'Lesyas' which are metaphorically described by different colours. If a person collects fruits from the ground only he is categorised as having Śukla (pure white) leśyā and is most pious. Another person plucking fruits one by one gently from the branches of tree is with Padma (slightly tinged pink) leśyā and is not bad but not as pious as the first one. Third person cuts small, tiny branches for bunch of fruits has Pīta (yellow coloured) lesya and is committing more violence to the tree than the second one. The fourth person cuts bigger branches for more bunches of ripe or raw fruits has Kāpota (light blue coloured) lesya and is guilty of much more violence than the third. The fifth cuts down thick, long main branches are having Nīla (deep blue coloured) lesya is causing great harm to the tree and is highly violent. The sixth person cuts down the whole tree, killing it, committing the worst form of violence, is having Kṛṣṇa (darkest coloured) leśyā and is worst. This description of lesya does point out concern for transactions and observance of vow with respect to other life forms but it is not at all considered in practice of the vow because of compulsions of agriculture based model of society. Saints, scholars and other householders read and preach about the lesyas and co-relation with vow of non-stealing but it remains only an academic exercise and is by and large ignored in practice. Vow of Non-possession, Non-acquisition (Aparigraha):
This vow enjoins that all types of material possessions by an individual should be reduced to bare minimum. The material possessions include land, gold, silver, jewels, food-grains, clothes, buildings, live stock, servants and other necessary items. Jaina monks both Digambara and Śvetambara continue to demonstrate the principle of least worldly possessions and non-consumerism. This vow is the most effective antidote against growing consumerism. These days the very definition of economic growth, quality of life and standard of living is more and more consumerism. Such an index of growth and development based