अपरि�ग्रहअपरि�ग्रह(Aparigraha: A conversation on non-possessiveness)(Aparigraha: A conversation on non-possessiveness)

Dr. Nirmal BaidDr. Nirmal Baid

October 16, 2011October 16, 2011

FactsFacts We are running after “We are running after “MoreMore”” We don’t know how much is We don’t know how much is

““EnoughEnough”” We already have “We already have “A LotA Lot”” As Jains, one of the precepts we are As Jains, one of the precepts we are

supposed to follow is –supposed to follow is –

““AparigrahAparigrah””

AssumptionsAssumptions Cannot practice it while living a Cannot practice it while living a

householder’s lifehouseholder’s life Need deep Jain knowledgeNeed deep Jain knowledge Some day in future we will practice Some day in future we will practice

AparigrahAparigrah Aparigrah equates to complete Aparigrah equates to complete

renunciationrenunciation

““Is it possible right now?Is it possible right now?””

What is Parigrah?What is Parigrah? Is it ---Is it ---

• Our belongings?Our belongings?• Our body?Our body?• Our ideologies?Our ideologies?

Is Parigrah in our garage or in our mind?Is Parigrah in our garage or in our mind? Or, is it our covetousness and attachment Or, is it our covetousness and attachment

towards these? towards these? ““__ is mine”__ is mine” बा�ह्य बा�ह्य / / अन्तरं�गअन्तरं�ग What can a soul possess and still not be What can a soul possess and still not be

Parigrahi? Parigrahi?

Story of an American Story of an American tourist and a tourist and a

fishermanfisherman

Contemplation of FortunesContemplation of Fortunes Unprecedented leisure and fortunesUnprecedented leisure and fortunes Recognize for what it is !Recognize for what it is ! Uttaradhyayan Sutra – Mahavir talks Uttaradhyayan Sutra – Mahavir talks

about the rarity of human life formabout the rarity of human life form Of the Humans what kind of life we Of the Humans what kind of life we

got !got ! We assume if we squander this life We assume if we squander this life

in consuming – we are ok…in consuming – we are ok…

Contemplation of CausesContemplation of Causes Desire pleasureDesire pleasure Avoid painAvoid pain Fear/AttachmentFear/Attachment IgnoranceIgnorance

““What do we want by getting what we What do we want by getting what we want?”want?”

““What would it take to be happy right now?”What would it take to be happy right now?”

Contemplation of IgnoranceContemplation of Ignorance Three world viewsThree world views

• Things happen randomlyThings happen randomly• Things are done to us by higher powerThings are done to us by higher power• Things are causedThings are caused

Causality is at the root of things we get – whether Causality is at the root of things we get – whether material or non materialmaterial or non material

You can consume things gotten due to the You can consume things gotten due to the Karm Karm Vipak Vipak and it is not Parigrah if it is not accompanied and it is not Parigrah if it is not accompanied by by RaagRaag

““Would we shape a better future for ourselves Would we shape a better future for ourselves by clinging to things, or letting go?”by clinging to things, or letting go?”

Contemplation of Contemplation of ImpermanenceImpermanence Observe that things change constantlyObserve that things change constantly We take impermanent things to be We take impermanent things to be

permanent and vice versa.permanent and vice versa. Our prosperity is tenuous !!Our prosperity is tenuous !!

What are the objects of attachment What are the objects of attachment at the “moment of truth”?at the “moment of truth”?

Contemplation of Fulfilled Contemplation of Fulfilled DesiresDesires Reflect on the past for fulfilled desiresReflect on the past for fulfilled desires Cunning desires are always within reach!Cunning desires are always within reach!

Did we get what we want?Did we get what we want?

Did we get the results by getting what Did we get the results by getting what we wanted?we wanted?

Final ThoughtsFinal Thoughts Aparigrah is a great vow Aparigrah is a great vow for Jainsfor Jains We need to observe our possessions and We need to observe our possessions and

motivation for possessions with non-judgmental motivation for possessions with non-judgmental self-observationself-observation

It cannot be achieved in one leap – we have to It cannot be achieved in one leap – we have to chip away one piece at timechip away one piece at time

Live everyday with some of these contemplationLive everyday with some of these contemplation

““Aprigrah brings unparalleled freedom”Aprigrah brings unparalleled freedom”

““Tell me what you need and I will Tell me what you need and I will tell you how to get along without tell you how to get along without

it.”it.”- Anonymous- Anonymous

“Security born out of material “Security born out of material things is a delusion.”things is a delusion.”

- Mahavir- Mahavir

Thank youThank you

Contact -Contact -

nirmal_baid@yahoo.comnirmal_baid@yahoo.com