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I AM MAHĀVĪRA
good qualities of a good teacher. All spiritual great heroes of the world should have these qualities”.
“Many people state that religion is normally immune to the adoption of innovation, modernism and intellectual freedom. This is not correct. I have myself modified and added many new points to my predecessors like Bhagavāna PārŚwanātha. I have added the
fifth vow of celibacy to his four-fold vow. I have developed the
theory of poly-viewistic consideration. I have added the practice of
daily Pratikramaņa (Penitential retreat) and a - clothedness or
nudity for self-realization. I have established the coordinated four
fold order of monks, nuns, votaries and votaresses to run the religious and social life. Many more modifications have also been done. The religion cannot remain an ever-living and ever-growing one if it does not adopt the needs of the age.
“I have indicated some basic points to adopt the path of non-violence. I wish to repeat them, once again. The human beings
form a single unit. There is no difference between them. Every
human being has the capacity to exert. Every body can completely develop himself. All are equal in potency. It is violence if we
differentiate between them on the basis of birth or livelihood. It is,
therefore, the duty of all of you, monks, to awaken the concept of
self-sufficiency and equality among the living beings and give it a practical shape. I have initiated even the Cāņdālas and other people
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