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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Aim: To test the practical relevance of Asteya in modern life.
Method:
1. Think carefully about all aspects of your life and evaluate where asteya may be relevant. The above list provides many practical examples which can be used as a checklist.
2. Next draw up a list of all the relevant practical situations and write down your thoughts on why you do it and whenever it is justified. If you think it is justified, note down reasons for and the extent to which it is reasonable.
3. Record your experiences of drawing up this list.
4. Take a vow to stop these activities for a period of one week just prior to our discussion meeting.
5. Record all your experiences on a sheet of booklet to be handed in at the meeting. Your comments should include:
-What is your opinion on the principle of asteya?
-What were your experiences of taking the vow?
- How do you know reflect on this principle? and sundry comments you may have about the method of the experiment.
Results of experiment
The experiment showed how the definition of stealing in the modern world is so loose and how often we do seal without thinking any wrong of it. For example, the office telephone is often exploited and personal calls are made which are not always necessary. There is little regard to the time of the call, which increases the costs borne by the company. Furthermore, that call may disrupt the work of the recipient as well and this is an added waste. There is abuse of the office copier, and when one has to pay for the copies, one has to pay for copies, one will only copy essential items. Similarly, stationary is so costly outside, but is freely available in the office. Taking it home is a major cost 'saving' and there is no need to use it carefully. We decided that the company can 'afford' to give some free perks to its employees. If we are conscious of these things, we should speak directly with the management and obtain official permission. Often w loose the meaning of being 'reasonable'. One participant observed that in the college refectory, all Indian students always took a pile of napkins because they were free. Often these went straight into the bin, unused!
Often such 'stealing' is rationalized by saying that the company does not pay us enough! On what grounds? If one is sure, why doesn't one get another job which pays the 'deserved amount? Why does he not negotiate a higher salary with the present employer?
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