Aparigraha Manav Jivan Ka Bhushan - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary in English of the Jain text "Aparigraha: Manav Jivan ka Bhushan" by Hastimal Acharya, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Aparigraha: Manav Jivan ka Bhushan (Non-possession: The Ornament of Human Life) Author: Hastimal Acharya

This text, authored by Hastimal Acharya, explores the profound concept of Aparigraha (non-possession or non-attachment) as the true ornament of human life, according to Jain philosophy. The author begins by addressing the persistence of sin and greed despite religious teachings and laws. He posits that to eradicate a problem, one must understand its root causes.

The Root of Greed (Parigraha):

Jain scriptures identify ten primary impulses or "sanjnas": food, fear, sex, possession (parigraha), anger, pride, delusion, and greed. While impulses like food, fear, and sex can diminish with age, the impulse of greed and possession becomes ingrained and difficult to overcome even in old age.
The text emphasizes that greed (lobha) grows with profit (labha). This insatiable desire, referred to as "trishna," never ages and remains perpetually youthful.

Causes of Greed:

The text outlines two primary categories of causes for the growth of greed:

Internal Causes: These include the rise of attachment, affection, love, and the feeling of "murchha bhav" (infatuation or delusion).
External Causes: Observing or hearing about the extravagant possessions of others, such as luxurious food, clothing, vehicles, and homes, fuels the feeling of greed.
Contemplation of Possessions: Constantly thinking about one's own lack of possessions compared to the abundance of others ("I have nothing, but so-and-so has gold and jewels") directly increases the impulse of parigraha.

The Role of Display and Social Environment:

The author observes that the exhibition of possessions is less in villages compared to cities and among business communities. In cities, where possessions often define a person's worth, even those with religious vows are not respected if they dress simply. Their value is measured by their outward appearance and possessions, leading to increased hoarding and greed.
To cultivate the spirit of non-possession, the social system and external environment should be simple and devoid of ostentatious displays.
Mahatma Gandhi's adoption of a simple, non-possessive lifestyle during India's struggle for independence inspired others, leading to a societal emphasis on service and morality. The text advocates for a return to simplicity and reduced display to curb the growing problem of excessive possession.
Displaying possessions breeds envy, attachment, and ego in the possessor, and causes envy, covetousness, and suffering in others. Therefore, understanding display as a cause of sin and renouncing it is crucial for reducing the impulse of parigraha.

Developing Non-Possessive Sentiments:

The text suggests several sentiments to counteract the pervasive desire for possessions:

Fear, Worry, and Instability: Possession leads to anxiety, worry, and restlessness, and is ultimately fleeting.
Happiness of Nature: Animals and birds, which do not possess, are happier and more content than humans.
Dependency: Possessions make humans dependent; without them, the possessor experiences distress.
Lack of Peace: The entanglement of possessions prevents inner peace.
Contentment is Happiness: True happiness lies in contentment, not in accumulating wealth. Even immense wealth cannot satisfy an insatiable desire.
The Illusion of Wealth: The pursuit of ephemeral material wealth makes one forget their true self. Spiritual wealth like knowledge, faith, and conduct leads to eternal bliss. Material possessions are temporary and have been acquired by even sinful beings countless times.

Importance of Limiting Possessions (Parigraha Maryada):

Aparigraha is the final and most crucial of the five minor vows (anuvratas), as its observance protects and enhances the other four (non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, and chastity).
Reducing possessions naturally curbs violence, falsehood, theft, and impure conduct.
The practice of non-possession leads to inner peace, contentment, stability, and clarity, drawing the mind more towards religious practices.
Social Impact: The economic inequality observed today is a direct result of the failure to observe the vow of non-possession. Earlier, without advanced machinery, excessive wealth accumulation was difficult. Today, technology allows a few to amass vast fortunes, leaving many deprived of basic necessities.
Modern socio-economic ideologies like socialism and communism are responses to this inequality. However, Jainism's principle of non-possession offered a spiritual solution, accepted willingly, not by force. Ancient scriptures also restricted the use of large machinery to prevent extreme economic disparity.
Widespread adoption of the vow of non-possession would mitigate economic disparity and prevent class conflict. The text laments that modern society often disregards religious teachings, leading to widespread unrest and conflict.

Practice of Non-Possession:

Householders (Shravakas): Should limit their possessions according to established vows, ensuring their desires are controlled, greed is reduced, and others are not harmed.
Ascetics (Shramanas): Lead a much higher life, practicing detachment from attractive sensory experiences (sound, sight, smell, taste, touch) and aversion to unpleasant ones. This maintains inner purity.

The Role of Self-Study (Svadhyaya):

Svadhyaya is highly effective in reducing the impulse of possession. It illuminates the inner self, awakens the soul, and fosters the knowledge of the distinction between the self and the non-self.
This understanding of self and other leads to a diminished attachment to material possessions.

The Transition from Attachment to Generosity:

When self-knowledge leads to a reduction in attachment to one's body and belongings, the inclination towards austerity (tapas) arises.
As attachment to material things decreases, the tendency to donate (dan) and serve (seva) strengthens. These actions are intrinsically linked to the reduction of attachment.
Donation: While self-study contributes to personal growth, donation benefits both the self and others. It fosters connection with fellow beings and is a means to both self-welfare and the welfare of others, with an inherent interconnectedness.
The act of donation is driven by a belief that using one's wealth for a noble cause is beneficial and welfare-oriented. This is likened to a farmer sowing seeds in the field, trusting in their growth. However, unlike the farmer who still possesses the desire to increase their seeds, the true donor in Jainism relinquishes possessions with the understanding that attachment to them causes suffering, distress, and negative states of mind.

The Vow of Non-Possession in Scriptures:

The "Sthananga Sutra" highlights the three aspirations of a householder, with the first aspiration emphasizing the significant role of renouncing possessions in achieving great spiritual purification (nirjara). The householder aspires to renounce minimal or extensive possessions.
The Sutra also outlines the aspirations of ascetics, distinguishing them from householders. Householders are characterized by vows, moral conduct (sheel), and generosity (dan). Ascetics are characterized by self-control and austerity. Generosity and proper expenditure of wealth are considered ornaments and duties for householders.

The Ideal Behavior in a Place of Worship:

The text urges individuals attending religious gatherings (dharma-sthan) to embrace the spirit of non-possession, even more so when visiting places of the non-possessive.
It criticizes the practice of wearing expensive clothing, jewelry, and displaying wealth within religious spaces, as this fosters attachment and worry.
The author emphasizes that true value lies not in gold or ornaments, but in virtue, integrity, and good conduct. Honesty, truthfulness, and acknowledging the virtuous are the true ornaments.
Using one's feet to go to places of spiritual gathering and to help others, and showing respect to the virtuous, are considered the true ornaments of the body. A person laden with gold but lacking virtue is condemned.

In essence, "Aparigraha: Manav Jivan ka Bhushan" is a profound exposition on the necessity and benefits of non-possession, not just for individual spiritual liberation but also for the creation of a more equitable and peaceful society. It advocates for a conscious effort to reduce attachment to material possessions and cultivate contentment and generosity as the true hallmarks of a meaningful human life.