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TIRTHANKARA MAHAVIRA AND HIS SARVODAYA TIRTHA
"We should read the advice of Tirthankara Risabhadeva and Bhagavan Mahavira contained in Jainism. Today is the most appropriate time to bring them in life The fundamental doctrines of Jainism are based on anekanta and the conduct in Jainism is based on non-violence. Jainism is not based on a blind faith in traditions and accepted norms in this life or in the life to come; basically it is a purely scientific religion."
A doctrine is accepted when it comes out right in application. Religion is no terminology, but application. Life is the sphere of its application. Tirthankara Bhagavan Mahavira did not memorise the terminology of religion. He understood it, felt it and then made its application.
The path of external bliss or liberation-the path he himself treaded he recommended for all, not by precepts, but through practice According to him, the only way to attain true peace and happiness is contained in what is expressed in the syādvada style the many-faceted nature of reality, the nine reals, true nature of the devas, texts and guru, the science of differenciation-to understand these, to have respect for these, to feel these, and then to get lost in these, fully absorbed, wholly immersed
On treading this path, he attained, eternal bliss and became wholly detached and omniscient, Mahavira the great hero and he bequeathed this right path to the world at large His advice is meant not to become a devotee but a Bhagavan.
1 Tirthankara Vavdhamana, pp. 94-95.
