| Foreword |
Venerable Gurudev Upadhyaya Amar Muni was a great seer
and enlightened thinker of the spiritual world. His exceptional
life-vision, heightened intuition and compassion kept him
forever alert. An analytic mind, extraordinary qualities and the initiative to awaken the dormant potential made him a spiritual revolutionary of the highest order. If complete detachment towards life made him a Yogi, then keen comprehension of the ancient religious texts and a true understanding of reality made him a super saint. Whether he was dealing with a familial context or social institution, industrial development or spiritual pilgrimage, a conflicting world of political policies or religious laws – his inner capacity, creativity and energy to reach the deeper truths of all fields made him a literary genius. His literary masterpieces are but a peep into his holistic understanding and potential. “Aparigraha Darshan” is one such literary work which has the dual power to cross over centuries and ‘see’ Tirthankara Mahavira and at the same time, give us an insight into our present lives. Wealth is not an obstacle to spiritual life. Rather, it can well be a means to progress, he said. If one could only place one’s feet firmly on the steps of the ladder of life and move on upwards, then one can be said to have traversed and conquered those steps, those ‘means’ towards upward progress . In the path of Sadhana, one ought not to cling to the ‘sadhan’ or means – this is the path of non-possessiveness. Non-violence, truth, non-stealing, celibacy and nongpl aparigatha 200607.indd 7 gpl 6/21/2007 2:40:40 PM possessiveness constitute Dharma (the real path). These five are to be adopted as the Smaller Vows of the layperson’s religious endeavors and the Greater Vows of that of the monk’s path. Violence and possessiveness have to be given up so that nonviolence and non-possessiveness may be embraced as a way of life. Possessiveness means attachment for objects and wealth. To give that up is defined as an essential part of the aspirant’s life. But such an object-focused definition of religion coupled with pressure to incorporate that into life has made religion impractical. When these ideals cannot be incorporated from within one’s inner being, then religion remains at a superficial level. According to Mahavira, possessiveness does not arise from the object itself; rather, it is attachment for the object which is the root of possessiveness. When attachment diminishes from life, when clinging to objects is effaced from life, then Mahavira’s path of non-possessiveness shines forth. |
In fact, non-possessiveness is an inner calling rather than external behaviour.
In Mahavira’s vision, the amassing of objects is merely a collection
which is important for family and society, as well as for the religious
congregation. But the difference between collection and possessiveness
is that collection in itself is considered a punya or noble deed where
as possessiveness, a wrong deed. Rightful discriminative distribution
of collectibles is not possessiveness. However, everyone does not have
this right vision of distribution. Mahavira’s message to those who
had the potential to develop this quality of non-possessiveness was to
stay focused on their goal of productive increase of wealth so that the
society at large may benefit from their punya, “Remain focused.
Your focus lets others find a vision. Your vision is the pillar of the
economic system, as well as the guiding light of families, societies and,
in fact, for the entire nation”. Sacrifice devoid of detachment gives rise to darkness.
How can a gloomy vision give light to Sadhana? It will only propel it
towards darkness. The Great Saint of Veerayatan, Amar Muniji, expounded three tenets for a good and pure life – Service, Education and Sadhana. Service: Developing a healthy, clean life system. A life of non-violence. Education: Constructing one’s spiritual intelligence, and support towards such an act in the life of others as well. Gurudev Amar Muniji’s book “Aparigraha Darshan” is an inspirational work. It is a transcript for a successful householder’s life. Today, the entire world, and progressive India at large,
is in need of a spiritual, intellectual, and conomically strong society,
for the emergence of enthusiasm in the youth and enterprising leadership.
I believe that this book will be the guiding light for such an endeavour. |