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152/ Lord Mahavira
Jaina Scriptures describe the conduct elaborately, expected from a monk as well as a house-holder. The monk and nuns observe the five great vows (Mahavratas) and the laity five primary vows (Anuvratas). The five Mahavratas are total abstinence from violence, falsehood, stealing, sexual indulgence and possessions.
The stages of ethical evolution of a Jain house-holder are called the pratimas and are eleven in number. There is another division of spiritual stages which are called Gunasthans. They are fourteen in number.
Mahavira prescribed some special code of conduct for mendicant. After completing the practices of Anvratas and pratimas, a house-holder seeks permission from his relatives to renounce completely mundane affairs and become a Jain monk.
Mahavira never put any caste or creed restrictions to his followers. People from all walks of life adopted his religion.
The fundamentals of moral discipline consist of the Twenty Eight Mulgunas, the uttaragunas, five fold Aearas, the twelve Anupreksha or reflections, the twelve-fold penance or Tapa, ten kinds of Vaiyavrttis, and the twenty two kinds of parisahas. The prohibition of night eating, drinking filtered water, worship of true God, observance of non-violence and detachment from all worldly affairs are main tenets of Lord Mahavira. This fourfold congregation known as Dharma Tirtha (center of worship) is still observed and proves that Jainism is a living religion.
