Beliefs of the Jainas
Jains believe that true knowledge about spiritual matters is derived from the teachings of the omniscient liberated saints, known as Jinas or Tirthankaras. These teachings and the lives of the saints illustrate the path to attain liberation. The twenty-third Tirthankara, Parvanatha, who preceded Mahavira, emphasized the doctrine of love and ahimsa (non-violence). He introduced four vows: not to destroy life (ahimsa), not to lie (satya), not to steal (asteya), and not to own property (aparigraha). Mahavira, his successor, added a fifth vow, chastity (brahmacarya).
Bhagwan Mahavira: The Founder
Mahavira, the twenty-fourth Tirthankara, lived from 540 to 468 B.C. He is closely associated with the establishment of Jainism's central doctrines. Born in Vyshali, Northern India, into a royal family, his father was Siddhartha Maharaja, ruler of Kundapura, and his mother was Priyakarini. Mahavira spent the first thirty years of his life as a householder. At thirty, he renounced his family and began a life of total renunciation and asceticism.
Ascetic Life and Enlightenment
Mahavira spent twelve years in ascetic practices, enduring severe penances with equanimity. His rigorous austerities led him to attain omniscience, becoming a jina (victor) and earning the title Mahavira (great hero). Through his penances, Mahavira realized his true self, understood physical bondage, and discovered the path to total liberation from rebirth and bodily existence. He advocated for a radical ascetical life, emphasizing the renunciation of all bodily comforts and material possessions. He believed attachment led to violence, lies, theft, sexual indulgence, and hoarding.
Teachings and Legacy
Mahavira's message, revered by modern Jains, is seen as one of pragmatic optimism, emphasizing self-reliance, self-discipline, and self-purification to unlock the infinite potentialities of the human self. He embodied non-violence and compassion and taught the five great vows. Mahavira also established the four-fold order of Jainism: monks, nuns, male lay-votaries, and female votaries, initiating many into this way of life. He spent the last thirty years of his life as an omniscient Tirthankara, becoming a renowned teacher and preacher, and founding the Jain religion. His life and teachings continue to inspire and guide Jains in their spiritual practices and ethical conduct.
Link for Class: https://youtu.be/noaAJN6iUKw
Link for PPT: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10d6Hlca6Xo5UuUtijAw05crsLykDgeV_/view?usp=sharing
I learnt that Mahavira's profound teachings on asceticism and non-violence, along with the establishment of Jainism’s core principles and community structure, have deeply influenced the spiritual and ethical practices of Jains
ReplyDeleteJainas' vows remind me of the commandments of the Bible which ultimately focus on loving others we love ourselves. These vows help humanity to live a self-disciplined life. I feel these values need to be recollected and reflected upon, as the world is disoriented with false beliefs such as success and earning a lot of money.
ReplyDeleteMahavira introduced four vows. I have taken three vows. I will add more vows to my life.
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ReplyDeleteEvery religion teaches the doctrine of Love and Ahimsa. Parvanatha preached this doctrine thus making it a significant aspect of Jainism.
ReplyDeleteI like the message of Mahavira which he emphasized about self reliance, self discipline and self purification. These are the three important aspects where one has to focus on to lead a good life.
ReplyDeleteThe beliefs of Jain were ultimately realistic than relying on the idealistic supreme. They believe in the pragmatic optimism that leads them towards the actualization of their vows.
ReplyDeleteThe Jains believe in purification of of self and discipline and self realisation. These are important in Jainism
ReplyDeleteI like Mahavira's teaching that encourages personal responsibility and ethical living to achieve spiritual growth and enlightenment. I feel that we, too, should take responsibility for our own growth to reach spiritual fulfillment as Catholics.
ReplyDeletein Jainism, the teaching of Mahavira one of the vows was new to me and found very significant It is the vow of non-violence that makes us mindful of things whatever we do especially when we walk so that no creature should be harmed, because every creature has life.
ReplyDeleteI am deeply touched by the Mahavira's teaching of doctrine of love and ahinsa. Following the four vows which is very similar to ten commandments of Christianity. It makes oneself pure and holy by not falling into those vice things.
ReplyDeleteThe teaching of Jainism gave me insight that it is 'I' that control my whole being therefore I need to have Self-discipline, self-reliance and self-purification.
ReplyDeleteWell I learnt that Parvanatha who proceeded mahavira stressed on the promotion of love and non violence. This is in fact what everybody wants but cannot attain it due to many other fantasies around. Therefore renunciation would help one attain the stage of freedom
ReplyDeleteIt is true that nothing can teach more than the experience. Jainas have rightly believed this, that the true knowledge of spiritual matters can be derived only from those who have really experienced it.
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ReplyDeleteI've observed that there are a lot of significant changes and transformations in people's life between the ages of 30-35. Why is it so?
ReplyDeleteMahavira renounced his family and began a life of total renunciation and asceticism at the age of 30.
Jesus began his public ministry at the age of 30.
Buddha got Enlightenment at the age of 35
It is a curious thing to know about the commonality between them.