It is a pity that the concept of ‘scarcity’
has not been vanquished. We live in a
world where we are able to have anything we wish for, but due to conflict, an
issue that has a correlation to envy, do not.
Envy is a sin in the Bible. Coveting thy neighbors’ wife, ox or abode is a
sin. In this industrialized world we need not covet
as we can have, yet due to problems of organization, we are in a position where
for some time still,every human may not be able to fulfill every desire. As per Hindu and Buddhist teachings, desire
brings upon suffering and should therefore be avoided. Desire in moderation is acceptable as it is
difficult to shun all these luxuries of modern life and meditate in a cave like
the monks. That would be considered extreme. Yet it is through desire that brings forth
the sin of coveting. This is not a new concept. It
existed back 2000 years ago when Jesus was around, Moses knew about it and so
did the ancient elite of Hindustan. We
have to be able to coexist with our neighbors who might seem to have it all.
Our assets and pleasures that we indulge in today
are not requirements of eternity. Eternity
is discussed in the Old Testament, the new one, and the Koran, Hindu and
Buddhist scriptures. We have an eternity. There is no concept of time in heaven. Death
of the body, but the soul lives on. Even the ancient Bible agrees upon an eternity. The
understanding of eternity may be different in different groups around the
globe, but we all agree that there is something after death. The good go to heaven, by escaping rebirth. Why live the suffering of life in another
body for centuries on end. God will give
us everything as long as we are good. The desire for wife, ox and abode will be the
work of the Almighty Lord. Desire is
acceptable, as long as it is moderate, does not interface with the liberties of
our neighbors and does not breach the philosophy of right thought, right action.
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