MAHAVIRA - ART AND
CULTURE
News: Mahavir Jayanti 2024:
Interesting facts about Lord Mahavira and the festival
What's in the news?
●
Mahavir Jayanti is a significant festival in India,
celebrated by the Jain community to commemorate the birth anniversary of Lord
Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara
of Jainism.
●
This year, Mahavir Jayanti will be celebrated on April 21.
Mahavira:
●
Mahavira, also known as Vardhamana, was the 24th Tirthankara in Jainism and is considered
the founder of its present form.
●
Jainism, an ancient Indian religion, revolves
around the teachings of Tirthankaras, spiritual teachers who guide followers on
the path of liberation.
Fundamental Principles:
1. Ahimsa
(Non-Violence):
●
Ahimsa is the central tenet of Jain philosophy.
Mahavira emphasized the practice of non-violence not only in actions but also
in thoughts and words.
●
Jains strive to minimize harm to all living beings.
2. Satya (Truthfulness):
●
Truthfulness is highly valued in Jainism.
●
Mahavira stressed the importance of speaking the
truth and avoiding falsehood.
3. Asteya
(Non-Stealing):
●
Jains are encouraged to refrain from taking what is
not given.
●
Mahavira emphasized honesty and the importance of respecting others’ property.
4. Brahmacharya
(Chastity or Celibacy):
●
Celibacy is considered a virtue in Jainism, and
Mahavira advocated practicing control
over one’s desires.
5. Aparigraha
(Non-Possessiveness):
●
Jains are encouraged to limit their possessions and
practice detachment.
●
Mahavira emphasized the importance of non-attachment to material things.
Theory of Karma:
1. Cycle of Birth and
Death (Samsara):
●
Mahavira, like other Indian philosophical
traditions, believed in the cycle of
birth and death.
●
Souls undergo a continuous cycle of reincarnation
until they achieve liberation.
2. Karma:
●
Mahavira expounded the theory of karma, suggesting
that the accumulation of karma (both good and bad deeds) determines the nature
of one’s existence and experiences in future lifetimes.
3. Moksha (Liberation):
●
The ultimate goal in Jainism is liberation from the
cycle of birth and death.
●
Achieving moksha involves shedding all accumulated
karma and attaining a state of perfect knowledge, bliss, and purity.
Asceticism and
Renunciation:
1. Monastic Life:
●
Mahavira himself renounced the material world and
embraced a life of extreme asceticism.
●
He wandered without possessions, practiced deep
meditation, and observed strict austerities.
2. Monastic Vows
(Mahavratas):
●
For Jain monks and nuns, Mahavira prescribed five
major vows: non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, and
non-possession.
Three Jewels of Jainism:
1. Right Faith (Samyak
Darshana):
●
The belief in the principles of Jainism, including
karma, reincarnation, and the path to liberation.
2. Right Knowledge
(Samyak Jnana):
●
Acquiring true knowledge, especially about the
nature of the self, karma, and the path to liberation.
3. Right Conduct (Samyak
Charitra):
●
Living in accordance with the ethical principles of
Jainism, which includes practicing the five vows and leading a life of
non-violence.
Anekantavada (Doctrine
of Non-Absolutism):
●
Mahavira introduced the concept of Anekantavada,
which acknowledges the multiplicity of viewpoints and the relativity of truth.
●
According to this doctrine, reality is complex and cannot be fully grasped from a single
perspective.
Jain Scriptures:
●
Mahavira’s teachings, known as the Agamas, were transmitted orally by his
disciples and later compiled into Jain scriptures.
●
The Agamas cover a wide range of topics, including
philosophy, ethics, and practices for spiritual development.