Re: life's ownership?
Nice question.
I think that we could, at best, look at “ownership” as stewardship. According to the Miriam Webster’s Online dictionary, stewardship is defined as: “The conducting, supervising, or managing of something; especially: the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care.”
Nothing belongs to us, but is entrusted into our care; this includes ourselves.
In the Isopanishad (mantra 1) it states:
Everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe is controlled and owned by the Lord. One should therefore accept only those things necessary for himself, which are set aside as his quota, and one should not accept other things, knowing well to whom they belong. (A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada translation)
Or
All this-whatsoever moves in this universe (and those that move not) is covered (indwelt or pervaded or enveloped or clothed) by the Lord. That renounced, enjoy. Do not covet the wealth of any man. (Swami Sivananda translation)
Ownership comes of ignorance.
What is the most amazing thing in the world? That at every moment we are surrounded by evidence of death and yet we behave as if we will live forever! - Mahabharata
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