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24 Universal Message of Lord Mahāvīra discipline, compassion, forbearance and other qualities of heart to the highest position among men and acquired the status of a Tīrthankara or omniscient.
Mahāvīra and His Teachings
Lord Mahāvīra observed rigorous austerities spread over for twelve and a half years till he achieved Kevala-jñāna (omniscience), which was his aim behind initiation in the ascetic order. He faced many adversities and calamities brought upon by natural and supernatural forces during this period. In the thirteenth year of his ascetic order, he attained infinite knowledge, infinite intuition and infinite bliss. Only after obtaining omniscience, he began to preach and give discourses. He stressed the importance of right faith, right knowledge and right conduct. He stated that a man could rise high only by humility, noble conduct and discipline. He established Caturvidha Sangha (the four-fold congregation) of monks, nuns, laymen and laywomen so as to provide proper guidance to the monks and nuns and to inspire and stimulate the laymen and laywomen in their religious practices. In the Sangha established by Lord Mahāvīra there was no difference between men and women. Both were regarded as equal. The women were also initiated as nuns, which was a great revolutionary step at that time.
Now we have to examine how the teachings of Lord Mahāvīra can improve the life of ordinary people and bring peace and prosperity to them. Some critics say that the principles of Jainism are so difficult that ordinary people cannot practice them. This is a fallacy; teachings of Lord Mahāvīra are grouped into two parts: 1. Teachings to śramaņas (mendicants), and 2. teachings to Śrāvakas (householders). Sramanas have no doubt to follow very
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