Sustainable Development Through Jain Philosophy: Integrating Aparigraha And Alpechha With The Sustainable Development Goals (Sdgs)
Keywords:
Jain Philosophy, Aparigraha, Alpechha, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Minimalism, Non-Possessiveness, Lord Mahavira, Sustainability Ethics, Responsible Consumption, Ecological Philosophy, Sufficiency Economy, Global DevelopmentAbstract
Development paradigms must be reoriented beyond technocentric
and growth-driven frameworks in light of the global issue of
ecological degradation, growing inequality, and unsustainable
consumption patterns. This study examines how two fundamental
tenets of Jain philosophy—Aparigraha (non-possessiveness) and
Alpechha (minimum desires/wants)—offer a strong moral and useful
framework for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs) of the United Nations in 2030. The paper suggests a
conceptual fusion of traditional Jain knowledge with modern
environmental governance, drawing on Lord Mahavira's teachings,
Jain cosmological ethics, and comparative worldwide practices.
This study finds important similarities between the SDG
framework's demands for responsible consumption (SDG 12),
climate action (SDG 13), reduced inequality (SDG 10), and zero
poverty (SDG 1) and the Jain ethical imperatives of restraint and
sufficiency. It does this by using a qualitative methodology that
involves semi-structured interviews with Jain scholars, sustainability
practitioners, community leaders, and policymakers in India, the US,
and the UK. The practical application of these concepts is further
demonstrated by case studies from Jain communities in Gujarat
(India), Jain-influenced businesses, the Gandhian trusteeship model,
and Thailand's Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP).
Additionally, the article suggests measurement frameworks for
Aparigraha (using asset declaration frameworks, philanthropic
outflow ratios, and ESG-integrated non-greed indicators) and
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Alpechha (using consumption indices, sufficiency satisfaction
ratings, and ecological footprint tools). The results indicate that
integrating Jain ethical principles into corporate governance,
individual practice, and sustainable development policy can greatly
speed up the achievement of SDGs while providing a spiritually and
culturally grounded substitute for materialist development models.
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