Bhagwan Mahaveer Life and Teachings essay in 2500 words.
Answers
Mahavira was the twenty-fourth and last Jain Tirthankara according to the Jain philosophy. A Tirthankara is an enlightened soul who is born as a human being and attains perfection through intense meditation. For a Jain, Lord Mahavira is no less than God and his philosophy is like the Bible. Born as Vardhamana Mahavir, he later came to be known as Bhagvan Mahaveer. At the age of 30, Vardhamana left his home in pursuit of spiritual awakening, and for the next twelve-and-a-half years, he practiced severe meditation and penance, after which he became omniscient. After achieving Kevala Jnana, he travelled throughout the Indian subcontinent to teach Jain philosophy for the next 30 years. Lord Mahavira was the last and 24thTirthankara of Jainism and is responsible for reordering the religion and introducing the Jain Sangha. Lord Mahavira considered men and women to be spiritual equals and that they both may renounce the world in search of Moksha. Lord Mahavira encouraged participation of people from all social standings, rich and poor, men and women, touchable and untouchable. The ultimate goal behind practicing the teachings of Lord Mahavira is to attain freedom from the cycle of rebirth as human life is representative of pain, misery and vices. According to him, every living being suffers under the bondage of Karma, which is the accumulation of that being’s deeds. Souls seek pleasures in materialistic possessions that result into introductions of vices like self-centeredness, greed, anger and violence. These result into accumulation of bad karma which does not allow souls to be liberated from the cycle. He preached that the real path leading to attainment of liberation from the cycle of Karma is through Samyak Darshana (right faith), Samyak Jnana (right knowledge) and Samyak Charitra (right character). These three basic principles were further elaborated by the Gandhar Gautama Swami into the twelve parts sacred scriptures known as the 12 Agamas. Sermons of Lord Mahaveera were compiled in the Agam Sutras by his disciples and were passed on to the common people through oral recitations.
These scriptures prescribe 5 basic vows that should be observed by monks and common disciples alike. These five basic vows are : 1) Nonviolence - not to cause harm to any living beings ; 2) Truthfulness - to speak the harmless truth only ; 3) Non-stealing- not to take anything not properly given ; 4) Chastity- not to indulge in sensual pleasure ; 5) Non-possession/Non-attachment - complete detachment from people, places, and material things.
Teachings and philosophy of Lord Mahavira laid down the foundation of a novel sect of Jainism known as the Digambaras, apart from the pre-existing Shwetambaras. The Digambaras believe that attaining moksha through a life of strict penance and by practicing nudity to symbolize freedom from worldly attachments.
PLZZZZZZ MARK ME BRAINLIEST..................