Sthavir : The Giver

As we continue to acquire information every moment and turn it into useful knowledge, we have enough to give. That also applies to material possessions also if we have been lucky enough to accumulate. This is where aparigraha (detachment, non-possession, etc.) comes into play. The seniors, sthavirs, should start thinking of, and practicing true aparigraha.

Let us recall that in our childhood we had learnt a word and understood its meaning -- contentment. In our complex journey through life we probably forgot that word. Let us accept the code of aparigraha, which calls for limiting, giving and giving up. When desires and ambitions are consciously limited, giving comes naturally. With the sentiment of giving, we turn our competitors into beneficiaries thereby avoiding their becoming adversaries. This way we are supporting the cause of peace, which in turn serves the cause of ecological balance.

When you give you are obliging a person no matter how pure your feeling of benevolence is. Although you are not expecting anything in return, the other person thinks of paying back somehow when an opportunity comes. However, when you are giving up, you are doing so on your own and still you are helping, not just someone, but the whole system. Your giving up starts an independent source of beneficence for whoever deserves and seeks. And your contribution is two fold. You are providing what you have earned and accumulated as also your place as an earner.

We should also understand that aparigraha does not mean shifting towards poverty, as is generally believed. It is, in fact, moving towards effluence, wealth and grandeur. When we acquire a more valuable thing we abandon a less valuable thing. That is the idea and theme of aparigraha. The key is right evaluation. Mental, psychological and spiritual wealth is much more valuable than the physical wealth in terms of lasting joy and bliss. We renounce a thing in order to gain something better, not just because it is some lofty ideal. The formula is applicable at all dimensions of development not just spiritual. Avoiding fondness is not just a sign of detachment it also means moving towards development. Fondness makes us stick to what we have acquired and it is a certain impediment for development. 

While living in this larger family of the living we should continue to contribute towards its development in the right direction. If not, we should at least take care that we do not cause any harm to it. And that calls for opening up to share acquired experience and knowledge if not material wealth.