Int Jain Sangh NJ 2000 04 Mahavir Jayanti

Author(s): Int Jain Sangh NJ
Publisher: USA International Jain Sangh IJS

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At the heart of the right conduct for Jains lie the five great vows:
Non-violence (Ahimsa)
not to cause harm to any living beings
Truthfulness (Satya)
to speak the harmless truth only
Non-stealing (Asteya)
not to take anything not properly given Chastity (Brahmacharya)
not to indulge in sensual pleasure
Non-possession/ Non-attachment (Aparigraha)
complete detachment from people, places, and material things
Jains hold these vows at the center of their lives. These vows can not be fully implemented without the acceptance of a philosophy of non-absolutism (Anekantvad) and the theory of relativity (Syadvad). Monks and nuns follow these vows strictly and totally, while the common people follow the vows as far as their lifestyle will permit.
In the matter of spiritual advancement, as envisioned by Mahavir, both men and women are on an equal footing. The lure of renunciation and liberation attracted women as well. Many women followed Mahavir's path and renounced the world in search of ultimate truth and happiness.
Thus, the principles of Jainism, if properly understood in their right perspective and faithfully adhered to, will bring contentment and happiness and joy in the present life. This will elevate the soul in future reincarnations to a higher spiritual level, ultimately achieving Perfect Enlightenment, reaching its final destination of Eternal Bliss, ending all cycles of birth and death.
Mahavir attracted people from all walks of life, rich and poor, kings and commoners, men and women, princes and priests, touchable and untouchables. He organized his followers into a four-fold order, namely monk (Sadhu), nun (Sadhvi), layman (Shravak), and laywoman (Shravika). This order is known as Jain Sangh.
Jainism existed before Mahavir, and his teachings were based on those of his predecessors. He followed the well-established creed of his predecessor Tirthankara Parshvanath. Mahavir was more of a reformer and propagator of an existing religious order than the founder of a new faith
was.
At the age of 72 (527BC), Lord Mahavir attained Nirvana and his purified soul left his body and achieved complete liberation. He became a Siddha, a pure consciousness, a liberated soul, living forever in a state of complete bliss. On the night of his nirvana, people celebrate the festival of Lights (Dipavali) in his honor. This is the last day of Hindu and Jain calendar year known as the Dipavali Day.
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