YJA Convention 1996 07 San Francisco CA Second

Author(s): Young Jains of America (YJA)
Publisher: Young Jains of America YJA USA

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argue, in this society good clothes are a necessity and so is a car, and a house, and a computer. Where is the line between necessity and comfort, need and greed, 'real' happiness and 'artificial' happiness?
Is the Jain principle of Aparigraha relevant in this modern world? Is it practical? Does it help us in everyday life? Does it lead to greater 'happiness'? These are the questions we will address in our experiment.
Aim: To test the principle of Aparigraha over a limited period of seven days.
Method:
1. Identity and list all material possessions which you own or regularly use. For example house, car, clothes, shoes, TV, stereo, telephone, washing machine, dishwasher, cooker, microwave, etc.
2. For one whole week, we want to minimize the use of all these objects. It is especially important to identify those objects to which you are most attached e.g. new clothes, new car, walkman', etc. Assume that for a week all these objects had been taken away from you. Identify the minimum essentials needed to perform your regular tasks: e.g. two shirts, one suit, one pair of shoes, two pairs of underwear, one basic cooker, etc. You will need to wash and dry your clothes every evening instead of relaxing and watching the TV; instead of the car, you will have to use public transport; etc.
3. Draw up a more detailed and complete list of all your possessions. Categorize each object into need, comfort, and luxury. Perhaps the best method of doing this is to identify the cost/market value of each object and break it down into various categories. For example, if you own ten pairs of trousers worth $250, then $100 would be classified as need, $50 as comfort, and $100 as luxury.
4. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU DO NOT STOP THE EXPERIMENT IN THE MIDDLE. IF YOU DO FIND SOME ASPECTS OF THE EXPERIMENT DIFFICULT, RECORD YOUR EXPERIENCES AND TRY YOUR BEST TO BE HONEST AT ALL TIMES.
5. Please complete and return the following questionnaire at the end of the experiment. It is advisable to keep a copy for your own future reference.
6. The above experiment will be discussed in full after completion. It is recommended that you start the experiment on Wednesday 1st February and complete on Tuesday 7th February.
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