VARDHAMAN MAHAVIRA: The Great Conqueror

Vardhaman Mahavira was born in Kundagram, Vaishali (Bihar) in 599 BC. He was 24th and last tirthankara (prophet) of Jainism and is considered as founder of Jainism. He ensured that all the earlier Jaina teachings and doctrines were assimilated and codified into the Jaina religious order.

The five truths
Parsavanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara had taught people to live by four truths.
1. Non-violence (Ahimsa)
2. Truth (Satya)
3. Non-stealing (Asteya)
4. Non-possession (Aparigraha)
Mahavira added the fifth one;
5. Chastity (Brahmacharya)

Jina is a sanskrit word, which means conqueror or victorious. The term Jaina has been derived from the same word jina, which means conqueror over self i.e. over greed, bondage and attachment.

Relevance of teachings of Mahavira

Enlightened teachings of Mahavira guides us to to live with love, compassion, asceticism, peace and non-violence. People in the world are now becoming more violent and are not ready to tolerate each other. Jainism teaches us the path for co-existence and tolerance and if the five truths are followed properly this world may become a lovely place to live in.

Mahavira said that there was an immortal soul within all living beings, which is why it was important to avoid hurting any living creature. So the Jain dharma is against any form of violence and restricts its people from killing animals ( jeev hatya). This can be a real motivating and guiding principle to the people who are encoraging hatred and butchering not only the animals but also the human beings.

Aparigraha (non-possession) is also one of the five truths of Jainism. In the present world there is a big gap between rich and poor. 80% of the wealth is in possession of 20% people. If the rich people start following the preaching of Jainism and this wealth is  equally distributed among the poor, no human being in the world will sleep with empty stomach. Poverty will be eliminated from the world.