________________
absolutely necessary the seekers to be free of sensual pleasures.
He states:
Sound, form, smell, taste and touch are sensual substances which are transient. Therefore, the practitioner should not be attached or attracted to the sensual pleasures.
Until the last moments of his life Mahavira inspired many to seek world peace through the attainment of inner peace, and he encouraged people to realize their divine nature. For 30 years he traveled throughout India to spread his message. At the age of 72, on the day of Diwali (the festival of lights) in the town of Pawa Puri, Mahavira ended his worldly journey. In the state of deep meditation he attained nirvana. His closest and chief disciple's name was Indrabhutti or Gautama.
The Branches of Jainism: Shvetambara (White-Clad) and Digambara (Sky
Clad)
In the early stage of his renunciation, Mahavira wore white clothing. However, during long periods of intense meditation his clothes eventually deteriorated. Many centuries later, Jain dharma became divided into two sects. The first group wore white clothing and came to be known as Shvetambaras (white
105
