Question

Mahavira Jain believed in the existence of gods.
A.True
B.False

Answer 1

Hint: In Jainism, godliness is referred to as the inherent quality of every soul. This quality, somehow is subdued by the soul's association in accordance with karmic matter. All souls who have achieved the natural state of infinite bliss, infinite knowledge (kevala jnana), infinite power and infinite perception are referred as the God in Jainism. However, jainism rejects the idea of a creator deity responsible for the manifestation, creation, or maintenance of this universe.

Complete answer: Lord Mahavir was the twenty-fourth and the very last Tirthankara of the Jain religion. As per the Jain philosophy, all Tirthankaras were born as human beings but they have attained a state of perfection or enlightenment by the way of meditation and self realization. They are considered as the Gods of Jains.
Mahavira Jain did not believe in any God. In his eyes, he considered it less important than the Jina (the conqueror). He strongly opined that man himself creates his destiny. So the given statement can not be considered as true.
Mahavira had taught that observance of the vows of ahinsa (non-violence), satya (truth), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (chastity), and aparigraha (non-attachment) are considered important and necessary for the spiritual liberation. He also taught the principles of Anekantavada (many-sided reality): syadvada and nayavada.
Basically, Jains do not believe in a God or gods in the way in which many other religions do, but they do have a firm belief in the divine (or at least perfect) beings who are worthy of devotion.

Therefore, Option B is the right answer.

Note: As per the Jain doctrine, the universe and its constituents (soul, matter, space, time, and principles of motion) have always existed. According to Jainism, all the constituents and actions are governed by universal natural laws and perfect souls, an immaterial entity cannot create or affect a material entity as the universe.