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Gems of Jainism
teachings which he did for Thirty long years. "The preachings of Mahavira are embedded in the canonical texts, and they are interpreted by series of commentaries known as Niryuktis, Gurnis, Bhashyas and Tikas. Individual topics are discussed in manuals and further illustrated by extensive narrative literature. The doctrines are logically defended by a number of authors in comparison with and in contrast to other Indian systems”. Since we are concerned about the relevance let us see what Mahavira said about 2500 years ago, which becomes so relevant today. Metaphysical:
Metaphysics is concerned with real or reals. In all religions we find God is the only real or ultimate reality. The Jainas have not seen reality in this way. To them whatever exists, ever existed and never to end, is real.
Mahavira has expressed this subtle doctrine in three words : Utpada (genesis), Dhruvya (permanence) and Vyaya (destruction). To regain the pristine purity of Souls which are in bondage, right religious endeavour is necessary. The sole object of the analysis of Soul and matter, in Jainism, is liberation of the soul. Ethical:
Mahavira's main concern was purification of human life and thus the upliftment of mankind. He gave five cardinal principles or five vows : non-violance, non-falsehood, non-sex, non-theft and non-accumulation. In other words, Mahavira taught ahimsā (nonviolence), satya (truthfulness), asteya(non-stealing or honesty), aprigraha (non-possession) and brahmacharya (celibacy). “Among the five vows he gave much importance to the first vow, nonviolence or ahimsa, and that is why he has been called in the Jain world 'the apostle of non-violence'. Considering the socio-economic condition, the aggressive and violent practices in forms of various yajnas which prevailed in his time, Mahavira's non-violence was not only superfluous but was very subtle. Mahavira taught non
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