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108 Universal Message of Lord Mahāvīra
said Shri Dulichand Jain, in a lecture explaining how Lord Mahāvīra's teachings are grouped into two parts - for mendicants and for householders.
Those who opted for the path of total renunciation have to practise very rigorous restraints and adopt the five vows of total abstinence from violence, falsehood, and stealing, immoral behaviour and of worldly possessions. For men amidst family life the instructions were simple. Jaina Ācāryas have presented the duties and responsibilities of the laity, called the 35 virtues. These rules prevent a lay follower deviating from the spiritual path, prompting him to rise higher and by it, get the proper attitude of living. One of the Ācāryas has classified the directives into four groups - obligatory duties, derogations which ought to be discarded; virtues to be cultivated and endeavours to be carried out with diligence.
In day-to-day life, a householder should maintain equanimity, pay obeisance to the 24 Tīrtharkaras, offer salutations to monks, do contemplation and introspection and resort to meditation so as to keep the mind under control.
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