what were the main teaching of mahavira
Answers
The following points highlight the six important teachings of Mahavira. The teachings are:
1. Belief in Soul and Karma
2. Nirvana
3. Non-Belief in God
4. Rejection of Vedas
5. Ahimsa
6. Freedom to Women.
The main teachings of managers are -
Ahimsa- The first and the foremost principle of Jainism was ahimsa or non-injury to everyone. it why most of the Jains walk barefooted filter water before drinking and even tie a band of cloth on their mouth so that they make not swallow small insects they even take care not injure any plant or tree not to cause harm to men birds and beasts. this principle was against the rising spirit of animal sacrifice in yajnas.
No faith in yajnas sacrifice and ritualism - Jainism was a sort of Revolt against superiority of the Brahmans and their yajnas sacrifice and useless rituals the jains stopped performing all these things they went even further and refused to accept the authority of the Vedas.
Attainment of salvatiobn- the Jains like the Hindus believe that the chief aim of a man is to attain salvation or freedom from the cycle of the Births and rebirths. this salvation can be achieved by following the three jewels of rights faith right knowledge and right conduct.
Life after death and the karma theory- the Jains like the Hindus and the Buddhist believe in the life after death can transmigration of soul.according to them one acquires new life according to his action in his past lives.
Hard penance and self-sacrifice- the Jain believed in the hard penance to die by starvation is regarding as a virtue by them the idea behind this practice is that rigorous discipline gives strength to the soul and keeps the wordly Desire subdued it may be mentioned here that laying much emphasize on hard penance fail to attract many followers for Jainism.
Five vows for the jains- every Jain has to take the following five vows: not to injure life,not to tell a lie, not to steal, not to process any property, and to practice chastity.