Tirthankar Mahavir

SR No.: 020834
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Jaybhikkhu Sahitya Trust
Publication Year: 2003
Total Pages: 235
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 57 MB

Page 136

Acharya Shri Kailassagarsun Gyanmandir
lives according to the code of conduct formulated by a tirthankara, he will certainly be liberated from misery.” Mahavira went on to expound the five great vows pertaining to non-violence, truth, non-theft, self-control and non-possession.
Then he said, "Friends, never think that what you know is the whole truth. Reality has infinite facets. Correspondingly there are infinite views. Each view is true, relative to a particular facet. Thus truth is relative. So we should respect the views of others. This outlook is called non-absolutism. It promotes reconciliation of all conflicting views. It prevents us from being dogmatic and obstinate about our own views. It ends all hostility and fosters intellectual toleration It gives rise to universal friendship and turns a miserable world into a blissful world."
Through this discourse, the venerable Mahavira aroused noble feelings in the hearts of the audience and purified their hearts and minds to elevate them spiritually.
In the thirtieth year after his attainment of omniscience(which was the forty-second year after his renunciation and seventy-second year after his birth), the venerable Mahavira arrived from Rajagruhi to spend four months of rainy season in Pavapuri. He stayed in the room that was used by the clerks of King Hastipala. The gods constructed a holy assembly hall. Mahavira entered the hall, occupied his seat and began his last sermon which lasted for forty-eight hours. In the assembly, there were gods of all classes, the fourfold order of monks, nuns, laymen and laywomen, the eighteen confederate kings of Kashi and Koshala, royal personages, dignitaries, affluent bankers, traders, businessmen, artisans, artists, labourers, warriors and other groups of
Samasaran at Palitana