Mahavira (Mahāvīra), also known as Vardhamāna, was the twenty-fourth and last Jain Tirthankara (ford maker, spiritual teacher). Mahavira was born into a royal family in what is now Bihar, India, in 599 BC. At the age of 30, he left his home in pursuit of spiritual awakening, and abandoned worldly things, including his clothes, and became a monk. For the next twelve-and-a-half years, Mahavira practiced intense meditation and severe penance, after which he became kevalī (omniscient).
For the next 30 years, he travelled throughout the Indian subcontinent to teach Jain philosophy. Mahavira taught that the observance of the vows ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truth), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (chastity) and aparigraha (non-attachment) is necessary to elevate the quality of life. He gave the principle of Anekantavada (pluralism), Syadavada and Nyadavada. The teachings of Mahavira were compiled by Gautama Swami (his chief disciple) and were called Jain Agamas. Most of these Agamas are not available today. Jains believe Mahavira attained moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death) at the age of 72.
Teachings
Jain Agamas[edit]
Main article: Jain Agamas
Mahavira's teachings were compiled by his Ganadhara (chief disciple), Gautama Swami. The sacred canonical scriptures had twelve parts.[50] According to Vijay K. Jain, "These scriptures contained the most comprehensive and accurate description of every branch of learning that one needs to know. The knowledge contained in these scriptures was transmitted orally by the teachers to their disciple saints."[50] According to the Digambaras, Āchārya Bhutabali was the last ascetic who had partial knowledge of the original canon. Later, some learned Āchāryas started to restore, compile and write down the teachings of Lord Mahavira that were the subject matter of Agamas.[51] Āchārya Dharasena, in first century CE, guided two Āchāryas, Āchārya Pushpadant and Āchārya Bhutabali, to write down these teachings. The two Āchāryas wrote on palm leaves, Ṣaṭkhaṅḍāgama—among the oldest known Digambara Jaina texts. Jain Agamas prescribe five major vratas (vows) that both ascetics and householders have to follow.[52] These ethical principles were preached by Mahavira:[53]
- Ahimsa (Non-violence or Non-injury). Mahavira taught that every living being has sanctity and dignity of its own and it should be respected just as one expects one's own sanctity and dignity to be respected. Ahimsa is formalised into Jain doctrine as the first and foremost vow. According to the Jain text, Tattvarthasutra: "The severance of vitalities out of passion is injury".
- Satya (Truthfulness)—not to lie or speak what is not commendable.[54] According to the Jain text Sarvārthasiddhi: "that which causes pain and suffering to the living is not commendable, whether it refers to actual facts or not".[55]
- Asteya (Non-stealing), which states one should not take anything if not properly given.
- Brahmacharya (Chastity), which stresses steady but determined restraint over yearning for sensual pleasures.
- Aparigraha (Non-attachment)—non-attachment to both inner possessions (liking, disliking) and external possessions like property.
Mahavira's philosophy has eight cardinal (law of trust), three metaphysical (dravya, Jīva and ajiva),[45] and five ethical principles. The objective is to elevate the quality of life.[56]Mahavira said an individual or society should exercise self-restraint to achieve social peace, security and an enlightened society.[57]
Ahiṃsā[edit]
Main article: Ahimsa in Jainism
Mahavira preached that ahimsa (non-injury) is the supreme ethical and moral virtue.[58] Mahavira taught that no one likes pain and therefore non-injury must cover all living beings.[59] According to Mahatma Gandhi:
Anekantavada[edit]
Main article: Anekantavada
Another fundamental teaching of Mahavira was Anekantavada (pluralism and multiplicity of viewpoints)
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