Our valuable treasures

As human beings, we are blessed with the wonderful priceless
treasure of resources. Internal resources, in the form of intellect, emotions,
mind, senses, thought power along with valuable external resources provided in
nature.

But, do we sincerely appreciate the worth of these valuable
resources bestowed upon us by the Almighty ?

Our present life style of ‘Instant & Disposable’, ‘Use
& Throw’, reflects nothing but disregard and abuse of the resources. Credit
card facilities, consumer finance, free home delivery, exchange offers, etc.
have made life easy, but at the cost of most risky attitude to ‘Take things
for granted’ and hence losing their values. Unless we are conscious about
our intrinsic values we can’t be just and fair to the use of external resources
gifted by nature to nourish us.

Being, a civilised persona, in our pursuit of protecting the
social values we need to ensure about prudent and optimum utilisation of
resources.

We have to first learn to distinguish between ‘need’ & ‘want’
to ensure optimum utilisation of resources. Once we act mindfully with rational
approach, we would be just and fair to ourselves as well as to the society as a
whole.

To share here a conversation of Buddha with his
disciple, which I feel conveys the essence very nicely.

One day, one of the disciples of Buddha approached him
and said humbly “Oh my teacher ! While you are so much concerned about the
world, why don’t you look into the welfare and needs of your own disciples
also ?”

Buddha : “OK. How I can help you ?”

Disciple : “Master ! My attire is worn out and is beyond
decency to wear the same. Can I get a new one, please ?”

Buddha found that the robe indeed was in a bad condition
and needed replacement. He asked the store keeper to give the disciple a new
robe to wear. Then, he asked the disciple, “Is it comfortable ? Do you need
anything more ?”

Disciple : “Thank you. The attire is indeed very
comfortable. I need nothing more.”

Buddha : “Having got the new one, what did you do with
your old attire ?”

Disciple : “I am using it as my bed spread.”

Buddha : “Then . . hope you have disposed of your old bed
spread.”

Disciple : ” No, Master. I am using my old bedspread as
my window curtain.”

Buddha : ” What about your old curtain ?”

Disciple : “Being used to handle hot utensils in the
kitchen.”

Buddha : ” Can you tell me what did they do with the old
cloth they used in kitchen.”

Disciple : “It is being used to wash the floor.”

Buddha : ” Then, the old rug being used to wash the
floor . . .?”

Disciple : “Master, we used it as a twig in the oil lamp
which is right now lit in your study room….”

If not to this extent of implementation, can we at least
start thinking on this direction in our pursuit to achieve the optimum level of
utilisation of our valuable resources ? The depth of spirit reflected in this
dialogue could prove to be of tremendous value from economic, social as well as
spiritual perspective.

Such mindful thought process and conservative approach would
turn out to be most favourable in the present chaotic atmosphere of global
economic recession, lay offs and cut-offs. Cases of depression, violence,
suicides have multiplied in the society. It is time to pause and think
rationally to arrive at a balancing solution. We need to evaluate the resources
at our disposal so as to ensure their optimum utilisation by assigning the real
utility values.

Our religious tradition teaches us that we have been given
dominion over the resources on this earth, but we must be good stewards of them.
Our constant endeavor should be towards developing the value culture to bequeath
in legacy for our generation.

From spiritual perspective, the concept of ‘Aparigrah’
has great significance for the soul seeking liberation. To grow internally and
enrich our inner self, we must create the space by least of accumulation.