Mahavir jain
Lord Mahavira was the son of Nayas and born to a royal couple in India in 599 B.C. He was the last and 24th tirthankara of Jainism. Though he was born in a royal family and had a comfortable life, he maintained a distance from all worldly possessions from an early age. By the age of thirty, Mahavira gave up his family and kingdom. He lived a tremendously strict life for 12 years as an ascetic. During this period, he even gave up his clothes along with all other worldly possessions. He spent most of this time meditating and achieving self control. He attained omniscience by the age of forty-two, thereby knowing everything about the past, present and future.
Jainism was opposed to rituals. Jainism believed in the possibility of solving the riddle of the universe to attain perfection without the concept of God. Jainism held that it was possible for any human being to realize absolute knowledge and attain absolute bliss through the intense human effort. The faith in self-reliance for achieving perfection was an integral part of Jainism. The Jainism teaches claim that the Jainas only can stand the scrutiny of reason.
The Jainas emphasized that knowledge could be perfected by right conduct. Knowledge without right conduct was mere futile and conduct without right knowledge was blind. The Jainas said that one could achieve complete mastery over oneself by subduing the passions. Emancipation was to be acquired not by observing rituals, prayers and sacrifices but by regulating moral and spiritual discipline. For this reason they attached great importance to the five vows – non-violence (ahiṁsā), truth (satya), non-stealing which implies not to take anything to which one was not entitled (aṣteye), celibacy or abstention from selfindulgence (brahmacharya) and non-possession or renunciation (aparigraha). Non-violence was accorded utmost importance among these principles. The three doctrines of Right faith, Right knowledge and Right conduct which were known as three jewels constituted the foundations of Jainism.
Jainism believes that no overall good of individuals or Society can arise from violence. Jainism teaches that untruth, stealing, taking more than one’s fair share, immoderate pursuit of sensual pleasures and possessiveness are aspects of violence. All these involve passions, mental violence of self and of others.
Jainas are openly hostile in the matter of introducing the supernatural. Jainism believes that man is capable of controlling his own moral life. He can make ethical decisions and find ethical goals without non-human assistance of intervention. Ethical values require that the individual either to make or unmake himself in the world. The soul (individual soul) has a self identity which it preserves even in the ultimate condition. The morality brings about reformation in man’s nature. The conversion of the inner man leads to the way of freedom. Man should attempt to develop the tendency of indifference towards pleasure man holds infinitude in his finitude. The eternal consciousness is within the human experience which is the power that directs all human beings beyond all finite forms.
Although Indian thought considered both spiritual life and rational life as universal, the spiritual life is higher than the latter. Spiritual life is universal since the spirits, even for the schools that accepted their plurality have the same nature. Rational life is universal because reason has the same objective reference according to the understanding of all schools of thought. Indian thought maintains that the essence of man goes beyond even reason; it is Ᾱtman. Several systems of Indian philosophy hold that highest in man is not reason but spirit (Ᾱtman) which is above reason.
Jainism, a religion and philosophy of India, founded in about 6th century BC by Vardhamāna who is known as Mahāvīra (“Great Hero”), the 24th of the Tirthānkarās, (“Fordmakers”), Jainas means Conquerors”, whence the name Jainism, the great religious figures on whose example the religion is centered, in protest against the orthodox Vedic (early Hindu) ritualistic cult of the period. Its earliest proponents may have belonged to a sect that rebelled against the idea of practice of taking life prevalent in the Vedic animal sacrifice.
,
Mahavira was the 24th Tirthankara, or spiritual teacher, of Jainism. He is considered to be the founder of the present-day Jain religion. Mahavira was born in Kundagrama, India, in the 6th century BCE. He was a prince who renounced his wealth and social status to pursue a life of asceticism and non-violence. Mahavira spent the next 30 years wandering the countryside, preaching his message of peace and compassion. He died at the age of 72 in Pavapuri, India.
Mahavira’s teachings are based on the principle of ahimsa, or non-violence. He believed that all living beings are interconnected and that violence against any living being is ultimately violence against oneself. Mahavira also taught the importance of truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, non-possession, compassion, contentment, joy in the happiness of others, and equanimity.
These values are essential to living a moral and ethical life. They promote peace, harmony, and understanding among all living beings.
Ahimsa: Non-violence
Ahimsa is the principle of non-violence. It is the foundation of Jainism and one of the most important ethical values taught by Mahavira. Ahimsa means avoiding harm to all living beings, both physically and mentally. It includes abstaining from violence, war, hunting, and killing. It also includes being mindful of one’s thoughts and words, as these can also cause harm.
Satya: Truthfulness
Satya is the principle of truthfulness. It is another important ethical value taught by Mahavira. Satya means being honest and truthful in all of one’s dealings. It includes avoiding lies, deception, and fraud. It also includes being truthful in one’s thoughts and feelings.
Asteya: Non-stealing
Asteya is the principle of non-stealing. It is another important ethical value taught by Mahavira. Asteya means refraining from taking anything that does not belong to oneself. It includes avoiding theft, robbery, and fraud. It also includes being mindful of one’s thoughts and desires, as these can also lead to stealing.
Brahmacharya: Celibacy
Brahmacharya is the principle of celibacy. It is another important ethical value taught by Mahavira. Brahmacharya means refraining from sexual activity. It includes avoiding intercourse, masturbation, and other forms of sexual activity. It also includes being mindful of one’s thoughts and desires, as these can also lead to sexual activity.
Aparigraha: Non-possession
Aparigraha is the principle of non-possession. It is another important ethical value taught by Mahavira. Aparigraha means refraining from attachment to material possessions. It includes avoiding greed, materialism, and consumerism. It also includes being mindful of one’s thoughts and desires, as these can also lead to attachment to material possessions.
Daya: Compassion
Daya is the principle of compassion. It is another important ethical value taught by Mahavira. Daya means being kind and compassionate to all living beings. It includes avoiding cruelty, violence, and abuse. It also includes being mindful of one’s thoughts and words, as these can also cause harm.
Santosha: Contentment
Santosha is the principle of contentment. It is another important ethical value taught by Mahavira. Santosha means being satisfied with what one has. It includes avoiding greed, envy, and dissatisfaction. It also includes being mindful of one’s thoughts and desires, as these can also lead to discontentment.
Mudita: Joy in the happiness of others
Mudita is the principle of joy in the happiness of others. It is another important ethical value taught by Mahavira. Mudita means being happy for the happiness of others. It includes avoiding jealousy, envy, and resentment. It also includes being mindful of one’s thoughts and words, as these can also cause harm.
Upeksa: Equanimity
Upeksa is the principle of equanimity. It is another important ethical value taught by Mahavira. Upeksa means being indifferent to both pleasure and pain. It includes avoiding attachment to pleasure and aversion to pain. It also includes being mindful of one’s thoughts and desires, as these can also lead to attachment and aversion.
These are the ethical values of Mahavira. They are essential to living a moral and ethical life. They promote peace, harmony, and understanding among all living beings.
What are the five ethical values of Mahavir Jain?
The five ethical values of Mahavir Jain are:
- Ahimsa: Non-violence
- Satya: Truthfulness
- Asteya: Non-stealing
- Brahmacharya: Chastity
- Aparigraha: Non-possession
What is the importance of ahimsa in Jainism?
Ahimsa is the most important ethical value in Jainism. It means non-violence, or the avoidance of harm to all living beings. Jains believe that all living beings are interconnected and that harming any living being ultimately harms oneself. Ahimsa is practiced through vegetarianism, non-violence in thought, word, and deed, and compassion for all living beings.
What is the importance of satya in Jainism?
Satya is the second most important ethical value in Jainism. It means truthfulness, or the avoidance of lying, cheating, and deception. Jains believe that truthfulness is essential for maintaining a healthy society and for achieving spiritual liberation. Satya is practiced through speaking truthfully, keeping promises, and avoiding gossip and slander.
What is the importance of asteya in Jainism?
Asteya is the third most important ethical value in Jainism. It means non-stealing, or the avoidance of taking what is not given. Jains believe that stealing is wrong because it deprives others of their property and because it leads to greed and attachment. Asteya is practiced through avoiding theft, fraud, and other forms of taking what is not given.
What is the importance of brahmacharya in Jainism?
Brahmacharya is the fourth most important ethical value in Jainism. It means chastity, or the avoidance of sexual misconduct. Jains believe that sexual misconduct is wrong because it leads to attachment, suffering, and the birth of new beings. Brahmacharya is practiced through celibacy, monogamy, and avoiding lustful thoughts and actions.
What is the importance of aparigraha in Jainism?
Aparigraha is the fifth and final most important ethical value in Jainism. It means non-possession, or the avoidance of attachment to material things. Jains believe that attachment to material things leads to suffering and that it prevents one from achieving spiritual liberation. Aparigraha is practiced through living simply, avoiding greed, and giving away possessions.
What are the benefits of following the ethical values of Mahavir Jain?
There are many benefits to following the ethical values of Mahavir Jain. These benefits include:
- Peace of mind: When one lives a life of non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, chastity, and non-possession, one experiences a deep sense of peace and tranquility.
- Health: Ahimsa, or non-violence, is not only good for the soul, but it is also good for the body. When one avoids harming others, one also avoids harming oneself.
- Happiness: A life of ethical values is a life of happiness. When one lives a life of truthfulness, compassion, and non-attachment, one experiences a deep sense of joy and contentment.
- Spiritual liberation: The ultimate goal of Jainism is to achieve moksha, or spiritual liberation. The ethical values of Mahavir Jain are the path to moksha. By following these values, one can free oneself from the cycle of rebirth and suffering.
Which of the following is not one of the five great vows of Jainism?
(A) Ahimsa (non-violence)
(B) Satya (truthfulness)
(C) Asteya (non-stealing)
(D) Brahmacharya (celibacy)
(E) Aparigraha (non-possession)The Jain concept of ahimsa is based on the belief that all living beings are interconnected and that harming one being harms all beings.
(A) True
(B) FalseThe Jain practice of non-violence extends to all living beings, including insects.
(A) True
(B) FalseJains believe that the universe is cyclical and that all living beings are reborn into different forms, depending on their karma.
(A) True
(B) FalseThe goal of Jainism is to achieve moksha, or liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
(A) True
(B) FalseJains believe that the path to moksha is through right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.
(A) True
(B) FalseJains practice ahimsa by avoiding violence, both physical and verbal.
(A) True
(B) FalseJains also practice asceticism, which includes fasting and other forms of self-denial.
(A) True
(B) FalseJains believe that the soul is eternal and that it is reborn into different bodies until it achieves moksha.
(A) True
(B) FalseJainism is a minority Religion in India, with about 4 million followers.
(A) True
(B) False