Question

What were the teachings of Mahavira?

Answer 1

Hint: He is also known as Vardhamana and is the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. He was born to a royal family in Bihar and abandoned his worldly possessions at the age of 30 to pursue spiritual awakening. He preached Jainism for 30 years and attained Moksha at the age of 72 in the 6th Century B.C.E.

Complete answer:
Mahavira’s teachings are compiled in canonical scriptures in twelve parts which are called Agamas. In these Jain Agamas, five vratas or vows are enumerated which are meant for ascetics and households to observe. These vows were actually five principles preached by Mahaveera. They were:
i) Ahimsa – Mahavira taught that all living beings have sanctity and dignity which should be respected and through this, he preached the idea of non-violence and non-injury.
ii) Satya – It is the idea of not lying to others and also to oneself.
iii) Asteya – He taught that one should not take anything that is not his or not given to him.
iv) Brahmacharya – This teaching brings abstinence from sex and sensual pleasures for monks, and faithfulness and loyalty to one’s partner for the householders.
v) Aparigraha – This teaching develops an idea of non-attachment to worldly possession.

Mahavira also taught that the soul does exist. This was a teaching that separated it from Buddhism (as there is no soul in Buddhism) and shared this premise with Hinduism. Otherwise, Jainism is very similar to Buddhism. Mahavira said that the soul is substantial, eternal and yet temporary.

Note: The Jain Agamas which contain the teachings of Mahavira, were written in the Ardhamagadhi language. Many Jain monks also made additions and commentaries to the pre-existing texts. The majority of these texts were compiled by Gautama Swami, who was the senior-most Gandhara or disciple of Mahavira.