Essence of Jainism

Author(s): Jyoti Prasad Jain
Publisher: Shuchita Publication Varanasi

Page 44

in order to be able to follow the path of Ahimsa it was found necessary that one should exercise a perfect and rational control over his senses, curb his desires and do unto others what he would have others do unto him.
The most characteristic features of Mahavira's teachings are, therefore, firstly, that every human being irrespective of colour, caste or sex is fully entitled to follow the path of liberation. Birth is no criterion for nobility but it is one's virtues by which he should be judged great or noble and only by those qualities which tend to mal e life nobler or purer. To this end he initiated into his order persons from all castes and classes and from both the sexes and delivered his sermon in the common dialect of the masses.
Secondly, he laid the greatest emphasis on Ahimsa which implied that one must abstain from injuring others by thought, word or deed and follow the golden rule of 'live and help others to live.'
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