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This will lead to a spreading of peace and happiness in the whole world. However it is a bitter truth that instead of these ideals we are more attached to religious differences. It is immaterial whether Bhagwan Mahavir was clothed or unclothed, married or unmarried. Nothing will be achieved by debating this, as far as I know. Even if Bhagwan Mahavir was clothed or in the company of his family, he still remained unattached. Attachment or non attachment to the world comes from within and is not dependant on external factors. In Jainism, the Digambar Sect maintains that Bhagwan Mahavir was unclothed and the Shwetambar Sect maintains that he was married and used to wear clothing. In this debate my clear opinion is that we should rise above these petty differences. We should not encourage this debate.
Bhagwan Mahavir attained liberation. He did his sadhana (practice) with single minded focus toward the goal of liberation and he was successful in achieving this goal. We also need to follow his example.
In Jain literature, attachment to the material world is considered to be the strongest attachment. Shwetambar, Digambar, Shtanakwasi, Tera Panthi etc... these are all differences that man has created. By doing this we have suffered. Now let us not make the mistake of suffering any more.
By recognizing the main principles of the Jain dharma as propagated by Bhagwan Mahavir, let us renounce self importance, jealousy, ego, differences, loathing, pomp and show and make our life pure, simple, meaningful and start the inward journey. Only by this can we attain self realization. Without this no amount of rituals or penance, repentance or visiting holy places will help. We should realize the importance of unity and internalize the practical benefits of these principles in our daily life.
"We are neither Digambar, nor Shwetambar, nor Tera panthi or Sthanakwasi,
We are travelers on a single path, believers in a single God.
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