Mahavir Jayanti 2023: 6 Main Teachings by Lord Mahavir

Mahavir Jayanti 2023: On April 4, Mahavir Jayanti will be celebrated in India. The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir. This day is celebrated by Jain community with great delight and joy. They pay a visit to the Jain temple, remember what he did for the Jain community, and even impart his wisdom to young people. 

On this auspicious occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, let's take a moment to reflect on the teachings of Lord Mahavir and imbibe his message of living a life filled with kindness, compassion, and non-violence. Wishing you all a blessed Mahavir Jayanti! #MahavirJayanti #SpiritualWisdom pic.twitter.com/dRtsxtBpYl

— Ishant Sharma (@ImIshant) April 4, 2023

Important Teachings of Mahavira 

• Belief in Soul and Karma- Every element, in Mahavira's view, is a blend of material and spiritual elements. The spiritual factor is external and continuously evolving itself, whereas the material factor is transient. He believed that karma was to blame for the soul's state of servitude.

• Nirvana- According to Mahavira, achieving salvation is the main goal of life. So, he insisted on avoiding bad Karmas, preventing all other types of new Karmas, and destroying the ones that already existed. He asserted that this might be achieved through the five vows of non-harming (Ahimsa), telling the truth (Satya), refraining from theft (Asteya), refraining from adultery (Brahmacharya), and refraining from possession (aparigraha).

• Non-Belief in God- Mahavira rejected the idea that there is a God and denied that He either created the world or had any kind of direct control over it. He believes that there is no end to the world. Nothing ever ends; it only changes shape. The universe simply changes its form because it is made of the same substances. Regarding this idea, we can plainly see the Sankhya philosophy's effect.

• Rejection of Vedas- Jainism likewise rejected the Vedic doctrine and gave little weight to the Brahmans' sacrifice practises.

• Ahimsa- Mahavira gave Ahimsa a great deal of prominence. All living things—animals, plants, stones, and so on—possess life, and one should never damage another person through words, deeds, or actions. Although this idea was not wholly new, the Jains deserve praise for popularising it and putting an end to the practise of many kinds of sacrifices.

• Freedom to Women- Mahavira supported women's rights and thought they had the same right to reach Nirvana. Mahavira emulated the behaviour of his forefather, Parsva Nath, in this regard. The Jain Sangha welcomed women, and many of them eventually became Sarminis and Sravikas.