Portrait of Jain Religion

Author(s): Narendra Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

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Spiritual mission as Tirthankar Recognised as Tirthankar (path-finder) at the age of 42, Mahavir began his spiritual mission as a teacher, guide and preacher for the next 30 years. During this period, he traveled on foot all over India, and delivered his sermons and discourses in Prakrit and Ardhamagadhi, the languages of the masses. Mahavir's coming heralded a significant era in the history of the age-old Jain religion. In his simple yet profound manner, he brought a lot of clarity and lucidity in the interpretation of the basic principles of Jain philosophy in a wider universal and environmental perspective. He enunciated complex and deep philosophical thoughts cogently and persuasively by relating them to the day-today life of his devotees, and the prevailing contemporary environment. He continued to follow the tradition of previous Tirthankars of orally transmitting religious doctrines and philosophical concepts. Beginning with his first sermon the process of describing different facets of Jain religion and its practices was initiated to his eleven disciples (ganadhars) led by the renowned saint-scholar Indrabhuti Gautam. Indrabhti Gautam others were persuasively and convincingly won over by Mahavir after extensive debate. Infact Mahavir encouraged free debate, dialogue and discussion. He used to say that, “He who knows his doubts knows the world.” It is interestinh that after his very first sermon, he attracted to his fold 4400 disciples, and in due course as many as 14000 monks and 36000 nuns. Such was the impact of his endeavour to convine others by winning them over by logical reasoning. Nirvana and complete liberation At the age of 72, (527 B.C.), Mahavir attained Nirvana
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A Portrait of Jain Religion