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अपरिग्रह (Aparigraha: A conversation on non-possessiveness) Dr. Nirmal Baid October 16, 2011. Facts. We are running after “ More ” We don’t know how much is “ Enough ” We already have “ A Lot ” As Jains, one of the precepts we are supposed to follow is – “ Aparigrah ”. Assumptions.
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अपरिग्रह(Aparigraha: A conversation on non-possessiveness)Dr. Nirmal BaidOctober 16, 2011
Facts • We are running after “More” • We don’t know how much is “Enough” • We already have “A Lot” • As Jains, one of the precepts we are supposed to follow is – “Aparigrah”
Assumptions • Cannot practice it while living a householder’s life • Need deep Jain knowledge • Some day in future we will practice Aparigrah • Aparigrah equates to complete renunciation “Is it possible right now?”
What is Parigrah? • Is it --- • Our belongings? • Our body? • Our ideologies? • Is Parigrah in our garage or in our mind? • Or, is it our covetousness and attachment towards these? • “__ is mine” • बाह्य / अन्तरंग • What can a soul possess and still not be Parigrahi?
Contemplation of Fortunes • Unprecedented leisure and fortunes • Recognize for what it is ! • Uttaradhyayan Sutra – Mahavir talks about the rarity of human life form • Of the Humans what kind of life we got ! • We assume if we squander this life in consuming – we are ok…
Contemplation of Causes • Desire pleasure • Avoid pain • Fear/Attachment • Ignorance “What do we want by getting what we want?” “What would it take to be happy right now?”
Contemplation of Ignorance • Three world views • Things happen randomly • Things are done to us by higher power • Things are caused • Causality is at the root of things we get – whether material or non material • You can consume things gotten due to the Karm Vipak and it is not Parigrah if it is not accompanied by Raag “Would we shape a better future for ourselves by clinging to things, or letting go?”
Contemplation of Impermanence • Observe that things change constantly • We take impermanent things to be permanent and vice versa. • Our prosperity is tenuous !! What are the objects of attachment at the “moment of truth”?
Contemplation of Fulfilled Desires • Reflect on the past for fulfilled desires • Cunning desires are always within reach! Did we get what we want? Did we get the results by getting what we wanted?
Final Thoughts • Aparigrah is a great vow for Jains • We need to observe our possessions and motivation for possessions with non-judgmental self-observation • It cannot be achieved in one leap – we have to chip away one piece at time • Live everyday with some of these contemplation “Aprigrah brings unparalleled freedom”
“Tell me what you need and I will tell you how to get along without it.”- Anonymous“Security born out of material things is a delusion.”- Mahavir
Thank you Contact - nirmal_baid@yahoo.com