Book Title: Mahavir Prince Of Peace
Author(s): Ranchor Prime
Publisher: Mandala Publishing

Previous | Next

Page 128
________________ Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra www.kabatirth.org Acharya Shri Kalassagarsuri Gyanmandir His message of love, two and peace was for everyone: THIRTY YEARS of PREACHING HOUGHOUT HIS LIFE AS TEACHER it was Mahavira's habit to lecture for three hours each day. In this way he touched the hearts of countless men and women It was usual for philosophers to teach in Sanskrit the language of educated people. which meant that the ordinary folk were denied access to spiritual teachings. However. Mahavira taught in Prakrit, the vernacular language of North India so that everyone could understand him in his teachings his emphasis was on the simple universal principles of nonviolence, love and friendship His message of love, truth and peace was to everyone. He didn't distinguish between higher or lower classes, between renunciates or householders, or between men or women Lnusually for his time, he accepted many female followers and established an order of muns. In all he set up four orders: monks, nuns laymen and laywomen two for men and two for women. For all of these he was the ford maker, who helped them to cross the ocean of birth and death and reach eternal lite Mahavira taught that human lite offers the best opportunity for spiritual realization. He said that the gods were too attached to pleasures and could not practice the self control necessary for the spiritual path. Only human life allowed this and this potential was the true purpose of human life B developing compassion and kindness, any human, of whatever birth, could become greater than a god. The sign of a great person was not wealth, high birth or learning it was nobility of character Despite his own rigorous renunciation he did not require everyone to renounce. One could remain in household life so long as one followed a basic spiritual discipline. The most important principles to be fol lowed by all were nonviolence, th, nontheft, sell control and for the renunciates, nonpossession. He was against dogmatism. He advised that no one should ever think they know the whole truth, for or horor ve daha her the farmers as r eads. Hero For Private And Personal Use Only

Loading...

Page Navigation
1 ... 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144