$JES 302 Jain Philosophy Level 3 Book

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 17

LORD MAHÄVIR AND HIS TEACHINGS Lord Mahävir preached that right faith (Samyag-darshan), right knowledge (Samyag Jnän), and right conduct (Samyag-chäritra) together is the real path to attain the liberation from karmic matter of one's self.
At the heart of right conduct for Jains lie the five great vows:
Nonviolence (Ahinsä) - Not to cause harm to any living beings Truthfulness (Satya) - To speak the harmless truth only Non-stealing (Asteya) - Not to take anything not properly given Chastity (Brahmacharya) - Not to indulge in sensual pleasure Non-possession/ Non-attachment (Aparigraha) - Complete detachment from people, places, and material things
Jains hold these vows at the center of their lives. These vows can not be fully implemented without the acceptance of a philosophy of non-absolutism (Anekäntaväda) and the theory of relativity (Syädväda). Monks and nuns follow these vows strictly and totally, while the common people follow the vows as far as their ability, and, desire permit.
In matters of spiritual advancement, as envisioned by Lord Mahävir, men and women are on an equal footing. The lure of renunciation and liberation attracted women as well. Many women followed Mahävir's path and renounced the world in search of ultimate truth and happiness.
Thus, the principles of Jainism, if properly understood in their right perspective and faithfully adhered to, will bring contentment and inner happiness and joy in the present life. This will elevate the soul in future reincarnations to a higher spiritual level, ultimately achieving perfect enlightenment, reaching its final destination of eternal bliss, ending all cycles of birth & death.
Lord Mahävir attracted people from all walks of life, rich and poor, kings and commoners, men and women, princes and priests, touchable and untouchable. He organized his followers, into a four-fold order, namely monk (Sädhu), nun (Sadhvi), layman (Shrävak), and laywoman (Shrävikä). This order is known as Jain Sangha.
Lord Mahävir's sermons were orally compiled in Ägam Sutras by his immediate disciples. These Ägam Sutras were orally passed on to future generations of ascetics. In course of time many of the Agam Sutras were lost, destroyed, and some were modified. About one thousand years later the Agam Sutras were recorded on Tädpatris (leafy paper used in those days to preserve records for future references). Some Jains have accepted these Sutras as authentic versions of His teachings while others do not accept them as authentic.
JAIN PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE I