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[Lord Mahavira's Twenty Seventh Birth
a thorough study of the conditions that were prevailing at that time. Next acting according to his own principles of ideal renunciation and service to all living beings he resolutely spurned his royal magnificence, his most beautiful and virtuous wife, and his kingdom of established renown. After that, he firmly applied himself to removing corruption from this world and to giving his spiritual message to all humanity. He preached to one and all without any distinction to observe the five great vows and to practice them in their life. (1) Ahimsa ( non-violence and non-injury ). (2) Satya (Truthfulness).(3) Datta ( taking only what is given). (4) Brahmacharya (Holy living including strict observance of chastity ), and ( 5 ) Akinchana ( non possession of wealth and restricting the possessive instinct ).
He regarded all as equal and mixed with them without making any distinction; he had equal love for every human being whether he be a Brahman by caste or a Shudra, whether he be of a high class or of a low class. The door of the temple of salvation was open for all and at all times. There was no restriction of time and place, caste or creed for any body.
Buddhadeva was a contemporary of Lord Mahavira. He also cooperated with him in stopping the instituion of animalslaughter. The teachings of Lord Mahavira breathed a new life in men. They began to observe and practise the five great vows. Sacrificial altars which always remained sanguine with blood and where many innocent beasts had been sacri'ficed before the birth of this high soul, were now seen empty and victimless. The place of animal sacrifice was taken by spiritual sacrifice. All the scattered forces of human society concentrated at one place and were tied with a single thread
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