Notes - Week 3 - 6 Principles

Week 3 Notes

6 Principles of Jainism

APARIGRAHA, ANEKANTVAD, SATYA, ASTEYA, BRAHMACHARYA

Principles are something you stand by.  These are not just rules that you follow, but they guide in your path towards a goal.  They help you make informed choices and decisions as to the right thing to do and not to do in order to achieve your goal.

APARIGRAHA – Non Possessiveness/Non Attachment

Pari means from all sides, Graha means to take or to have.  The “A” is the negative, i.e. NOT to take from all sides.

• What do we gather from all sides (parigraha)?  Material things which come from the environment.
• What is a need and what is a luxury?  How much do you need and what is excessive beyond your needs?
• Why do we become attached to things and people?  Love all, but do not get attached such that the loss of one affects you in a way that you cannot function normally.
• Why do we become possessive of them?
• Are all your possessions making you happy or adding to your worry?
• Are they giving you security or adding more insecurity?
• Are they giving you comfort or making you more restless?
• Are they also giving you status?

Wealth creates attachment, which results in continued greed, jealousy, selfishness, ego, hatred.

More wealth leads to more attachment and more desire to accumulate, it is a vicious circle.

Wants and Desires have no limits.

Jainism does not say that you are not allowed to own good things, but do not get attached to them. For example, if a vase is broken by a worker, you should be able to accept it without any negative thought.

By giving in to attachment we bind ourselves to the cycle of life and rebirth.

Emotionally detach yourself – I was born empty-handed and will die empty-handed, so whatever extra I have, I will use it for the benefit of others.

Constantly brooding over what you want to acquire is also not aparigraha.

Consciously decide not to acquire anything not needed, drawing a boundary on your desires.

Acquire but at same time give away something you have.

SATYA - Truthfulness

Live a life in pure truth through Mind, Action and Speech

One has to be fearless to practice Satya.

The same meaning delivered in a different way may produce differing effect.  E.g. the story of the king who was told all his relations would die as told by one person, and that he would live very long as told by another person.  The outcome was going to be same; the king would live long and outlive all his relations.  But truth was delivered in 2 different ways; the first one caused distress, and the second happiness.

• Spreading rumours, gossip, backbiting
• Foul language, harsh, cruel, biting words
• Falsifying records
• Breach of trust or promise
• Criticizing, boasting, humiliating
• Giving false information

Have I instigated conflicts with my words or did I bring about cohesion?

Awareness of what I speak -do I constantly speak to others about my regrets?

We lose trust when we lie, trust in us by others and by ourselves as well.

Avoiding the truth if the outcome is for the better is called white Lies and is allowed

Avoiding the truth if it is going to cause conflict is better.

ANEKANTAVAD – multiplicity of views

This is not a principle on its own but is sub principle within Ahimsa

Unique concept introduced by Bhagwan Mahavir

“Ekant” means what I say is the absolute truth.  The “A” makes it negative, i.e. my view my opinion is not the only truth.

Everyone is trying to gather the ultimate truth in their own ways.  We should not disrespect their views.  The moment we begin to consider the angle from which a contrary viewpoint is put forward, we begin to develop tolerance, which is the basic requirement to practice Ahimsa.

It is a very subtle way of changing our thoughts, and thoughts are what lead to speech and action.  It is a unique way of being capable of practicing Ahimsa.

Our knowledge is limited.

Respect others’ view points.

Put yourself in other people’s place and see from their view point.

Learn from situations.

One of the biggest results that you will see in the practice of Anekantvad, is conflicts are reduced.

ASTEYA – Non Stealing

• Taking what is not yours whether it is a material thing or an idea is stealing
• Stealing can be done by Mind, Speech and Action
• The act of stealing is recognised not only if done by oneself, but also by getting others to do it for you, or approving such acts committed by others.

Brahmacharya - chastity

As per this principle, one should not have a sensual relationship with more than one partner.

 This is meant to impart the sense of serenity to the soul.

In  essence,  Brahamcharya is to control the senses. Use the senses not for pleasure but for advancing on the spiritual path.