Universal Message of Lord Mahavira

Author(s): Dulichand Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

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Universal Message of Lord Mahāvīra
Thus we see that these principles, preached by Lord Mahāvīra, are universal in character and are applicable to every individual in any society. Even an ordinary man can practise these simple rules without the least philosophical speculation.
Integral view of Life
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Jainism takes an integral view of life. Neither faith nor knowledge by itself can take us to the path of salvation. We should have a combination of right faith, right knowledge and right conduct to tread the path of salvation. These constitute the three jewels of Jainism. Without right faith, there is no right knowledge and without right knowledge there is no virtuous conduct. Lord Mahāvīra says, "By knowledge one understands the nature of substances, by faith one believes in them, by conduct one puts an end to the flow of karmas and by austerity one attains purity. ̧3,,
Concept of Karma
The significant achievement of Tirthankara Mahāvīra's revolution in spiritual field was the upholding of the concept of karma in place of the Creator. He said that man is the architect of his own destiny and he can rise only by his own efforts and not by the grace of any external agency. God is devoid of attachment; hence, there is no need for him to create this universe, which is beginningless and endless.
Every inexplicable event in the life of an individual occurs due to the karmas accumulated in his previous birth. Karma is conceived as something essentially material, which gets interlined with immaterial soul. As particles of dust get attached to the body smeared with oil, so does karma with the soul. Lord Mahāvīra says. 'Attachment and aversion are the root causes of karma and