Jyotindra N. Doshi
Bartlett, 16th April 2006
More than 1200 people came to celebrate "Bhagvan Mahavir Janma Kalayanak" on Sunday, April 16, 2006
Pooja, speeches by different people, cultural programs and vegetarin food for all were the event activities.
Greed Versus Need
Jai Jinendra
Respected Fellow Jains.
As we are celebrating "Bhagwan Mahvir Janma Kalayanak" today, I will start with recitation of prayer to Bhagwan Mahavir.
Ohm Mangalam, Ohmkar Magalam, Vir Mangalam, Mahavir Magalam (3).
Now to discuss the topic of need vs. greed.
In our jain faith, there are 12 vows of house holder or shravakas and shravikas like you and me, and 5 great vows of sadhus and sadhavis.
In both of the above, a key vow is Aparigrah or non-possession - One should only have what one needs. However, what one feels they need varies per person. Let me give you some examples of need versus greed.
Consider one's residence. A three-bedroom home for a family of four is need, however, more than three bedrooms would be greed.
Cars: Four cars for four people over the age of 16 all needing to go to different places is need, more cars is greed.
Money: Income to manage daily living expenses and some savings for a rainy day is need, but millions of dollars to indulge in more unnecessary things is greed.
Clothes: 7 pairs of clothes is need, but a walk in closet full of many dress and shoes is greed.
Food to sustain life is need; gluttony or the indulgence in food is greed.
For a house holder: one wife or husband is consider to be possible need, more then that is greed.
So in conclusion, the best way to follow Jain faith is to appreciate simplicity in life by eliminating greed, and then one can achieve true happiness.
Thank you for your attention.
*****JAI MAHAVIR-*****
JAINAM JAYATI SHASHNAM
Jyotindra N. Doshi
Trustee, Interfaith Chair (Jain Society Chicago)
Jainism spiritual speaker(International)
Consulting Engineer (R)