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JAINA CONVENTION 2011
"Live and Help Live"
Bhagwan Mahavir's Message to Humanity
Late Sh. Mahavir Prasad Jain
Late Shri M. P. Jain (1933-2010) was a renowned social figure of Delhi. He was involved in several organizations and known for his erudite writings and well published. A post graduate of Delhi University, he did PG in Gandhian studies from Punjab University. After retiring as a registrar (academic). TARI, he dedicated his life to social service, particularly towards Jain society, non-violence and vegetarianism. He was engaged in science of living as an honorary director of Kendriya Jeevan Vigyan Academy, Sadhna Kendra, Mehrauli, Delhi. Contact his son: jainfamily11@gmail.com
Lord Mahavir, the 24th TIRTHANAKARA of the JAINS, was born over 2600 years ago in the royal family of the republican state of Vaishali in Bihar on CHAITRA SUDU TERAS the 13th day of the WAXING MOON in the bright fortnight of the pious month of CHAITRA corresponding to March 27th in 6th century B.C. his father king SIDDHARTH and mother queen TRISHLA named him VARDHAMAN as prosperity dawned on the entire state with His birth on the royal household. He, however, came to be known as MAHAVIRA due to his exceptionally valorous deeds right from his childhood.
The prince Vardhaman was highly introvert from very beginning and took little interest in mundane affairs. He finally renounced the world and became a recluse at the age of 30 years. He wondered in the forests mediating on the self and attained Omniscience (Keval Gyana) sitting under a 'sal' tree after a saintly life of 12 12 years and became a TIRTHANKARA (teaching God) at the age of 42 12 years. Thereafter he travelled bare footed throughout the length and breadth of the country addressing mammoth congregations at various spreading the Message of Peace & Ahimsa (non violence to the living) providing solace to the tormented humanity of his times. He gave to the world the noble code of conduct of LIVE & LET LIVE.
process of purification but inculcating Right Faith (Samyak Darshan). Right Knowledge (Samyak Gyana) and Right Faith Samyak Darshan). Right Knowledge, (Samyak Gyana) and Right Conduct (Samyak Charitra) - Samyak Darshan, Gyana, Charitrani Moksha Maragha" To attain this Noble End, He preached the five fold path of Anuvrata for the householder and Mahavrata for recluse or the 'sadhu'. These five tenets of Satya (Truth), Ahimsa (Non-violence to the living), Achaurya (non-Stealing). Brahmacharya (Celibacy) and Aparigraha (Non – possessiveness) are to be observed in Thought, Word and Deed (Mann, Vachana & Kaye). The strict observance of this code of conduct will lead both the householder and the 'sadhu' to the control of his senses causing the elimination of 4 'Ghatia Karmas' and leading him towards omniscience (enlightenment) which is the state of Godhood or 'Paramtman'. The destruction of another 4 Aghatia Karma's will lead to the attainment of Nirvana (Moksha), i.e. liberation from the cycle of birth and death. He ordained that Love for the humans and other living beings and hatred or malice for none is the essential primary condition for the purification of the soul. The principle of Live and Let Live (jeo aur Jine Doe) was the hallmark of his teachings. Truth (Satya) lies in describing the things as you see or understand it without any favor or prejudice. It will dispel all fears from your mind thus helping you attain the state of perfect equanimity. "Earn according to your full capacity but keep only as much as you need" and distribute the rest among others is
Bhagvan Mahavir pronounced that the human soul (jeeva - Atman) has the potentiality of Divinity in itself (Param - atman) through a
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