Mahavir Vani Lecture 24 Sangraha Andar Ke Lobh Ki Zalak - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary of Osho Rajnish's lecture "Mahavir Vani Lecture 24: Sangraha Andar ke Lobh ki Zalak" (Collection: A Glimpse of Inner Greed), based on the provided text:

Core Message: The True Nature of Possession and Greed

Osho begins by clarifying Bhagavan Mahavir's teaching on Parigraha (possession). He emphasizes that Mahavir did not define possession as merely owning external objects like clothes. Instead, true possession (Parigraha) lies in attachment, affection, and the state of delusion (Murchha) towards these objects. Therefore, the act of "collection" is seen as a mere symptom or a "glimpse" of the inner greed that drives it. Osho asserts that individuals who possess the tendency to collect are, in essence, householders (Grihastha), not renunciates (Sadhu), regardless of their outward actions.

Understanding "Ras Parityag" (Renunciation of Taste/Attachment)

The lecture addresses a common misunderstanding of "Ras Parityag." Some interpret it as severing all connection with sensory experiences, leading to the absurd conclusion that blind, deaf, and mute individuals would be the ultimate renunciates. Osho vehemently rejects this notion.

It's not about destroying senses: Ras Parityag is not about mutilating or blinding the senses. Destroying the eye is far easier than renouncing the attraction to beauty seen by the eye.
It's about the inner connection: The danger lies not in the senses themselves, but in the deep inner attachment and absorption of the mind into the information brought by the senses.
The real renunciation is inner control: True renunciation is when consciousness remains the master, and the senses follow consciousness, rather than consciousness being enslaved by the senses.

The Master-Slave Relationship with the Senses

Osho elaborates on this master-slave dynamic:

Consciousness as Master: When consciousness is the master, senses become helpful tools (instruments). The eye sees what you want to see, the ear hears what you want to hear, and the hands assist in your chosen actions.
Senses as Masters: When senses are the masters, they pull you in their desired directions. Your hand might insist on lifting something, or your eye might force you to look at something, even against your will. This is the state of Bhoga (enjoyment/consumption).
Pure Senses: When consciousness is the master, the senses become pure and transparent. Mahavir's eyes see with immense clarity because his inner master is awake. Your eyes are clouded by the smoke of your slavery.

The Chaos of Uncontrolled Senses

Without an awakened inner master, the senses become chaotic and pull in conflicting directions, leading to internal conflict and life's disharmonies:

Lack of Coordination: The senses, acting independently, create contradictions. You might be attracted to someone's face (eye) but repelled by their scent (nose) or touch (hand).
The Dominance of Vision: Often, one sense (especially sight) dictates choices, ignoring the others, leading to future problems when other senses assert their differing experiences.
The Internal "Heap of Garbage": We constantly absorb external information without discernment, creating an unorganized internal "heap of garbage." We are more careful about what we bring into our homes than what we allow into our minds.

The True Meaning of Renunciation and Inner Space

Osho reiterates that:

Renunciation is not destruction: It's not about destroying senses but about ceasing to be driven by them. Mahavir advised monks to look only four feet ahead while walking, not out of blindness, but to avoid unnecessary sensory input.
Conserve Energy: By allowing only what is meaningful and useful, we conserve energy. This conserved energy is crucial for inner growth and spiritual exploration.
The Importance of Inner Space: A life filled with unnecessary accumulation drains our energy and leaves no space for the divine. To connect with the divine, we need inner space, emptiness, but not an emptiness of lack, rather an emptiness that can receive.

Murchha (Delusion) as the Root of Greed

The core of inner greed, according to Mahavir, is Murchha (delusion or infatuation).

Attachment to Objects: This is when objects become more valuable than ourselves, leading to a deep attachment. Losing a trivial object can cause disproportionate grief because we have projected our essence onto it.
The Illusion of Happiness: We often believe happiness is found in possessing something (like wealth, or even sleep, or divine realization). This is a hypnotic state.
The Disappointment of Possession: When we finally obtain what we desired, the expected happiness often doesn't materialize, or the desire shifts to something else. This is the "and then what?" phenomenon. The desire itself, the anticipation, is the real "drug."
The "And Then What?" Cycle: The endless pursuit of "that" which is believed to bring ultimate happiness is a form of delusion. The horizon forever recedes as you approach it.
Money is Just Money: Osho challenges the extremes of viewing money as either divine or worthless. Money is simply a medium of exchange. The problem arises when we project our hopes for ultimate happiness onto it.
Right Understanding is Key: The goal is not to reject things but to see them as they are, without projecting our desires and expectations onto them. This is the essence of Samyak Bodh (right understanding).

Breaking the Cycle of Greed

Osho offers three principles for breaking free from delusion and greed:

See things in their facticity: Perceive objects as they are, not through the lens of your hopes and expectations.
Never consider objects as the ultimate goal: See them as tools or means, not as the end in themselves.
Guard your inner mastery: Ensure your inner self is not lost in the "desert of possessions."

The Glimpse of Inner Greed

Outward actions reflect the inner state: Our external behavior is a reflection of our inner landscape. If we collect, it's a glimpse of inner greed.
The emptiness within: Greed arises from an inner feeling of emptiness, a void within the soul. We try to fill this void with external possessions, knowledge, or even ascetic practices.
The futility of external renunciation: Simply abandoning external objects or practices (like leaving home for an ashram) without addressing the inner state of Murchha does not eradicate greed. It's like breaking a mirror that shows an ugly reflection; the ugliness remains.
The true renunciation is inner transformation: The real change is an internal revolution, a shift from Murchha to Amurchha (non-delusion).
The awakened state: The Sadhana (spiritual practice) is an inner awakening. The one who is awake within is a Sadhu, not necessarily someone who has renounced external possessions.
Eskimo Analogy: The Eskimos' practice of gifting possessions that are admired by others illustrates a deeper understanding of ownership and the dissolution of attachment. If something is admired, it has already become the other's; keeping it prolongs the admirer's delusion. True ownership is experienced when one can freely give.

Conclusion

Osho concludes by emphasizing that true renunciation is an inner transformation, a state of awakened consciousness. Greed is a product of inner emptiness and the delusion that external objects can fill it. By understanding the true nature of possessions and transforming our inner state, we can overcome greed and live a life of true freedom and inner richness. The outward act of collection is merely a symptom of the inner greed that needs to be addressed.