Mahaveeras Teachings
Jainism is one of the oldest religions of the world and it is an integral part of Indian culture and heritage. Lord Mahaveera, whose 2595^th Birth anniversary was celebrated this year, was the 24^th Tirthankara of Jains. He was an apostle of non-violence and compassion. Millions of people even now follow his doctrine of love, universal brother-hood and non-violence.

The greatest contribution his revolution in the religious field made was that of establishment of karma in place of God. He says that a person has to ennoble his soul by his own efforts without any help from any external agency. He propagated that right faith, right knowledge and right conduct together lead one to the path of true liberation, which is the final goal of human life.

His teachings were very simple as explained in Ardhamagadhi, the language of the common people at that time. He taught universal truths and a simple path of moral and spiritual development. The monks, who led the Jain community possessed neither family nor property, practised austerity and engaged themselves in meditation, in reading of holy texts and in giving religious discourses. They did not involve themselves in ceremonies nor did they exhibit their enthusiasm in theological or metaphysical speculations. They were to follow the Panch Mahavratas, the five great vows i.e. Ahimsa taken as abstinence from injury or harm to any living creature, truthfulness, non-stealing, non-possession and non-indulgence in sex.

Non-Violence
Non-violence or Ahimsa, the central concept of Jain ethics, is the first and the most important religious vow, laid-down by Mahaveera. Lord Mahaveera said, " All living beings desire to live. They like pleasures and hate pain. No body wants to get killed. Hence one should not cause any harm to any living being and be compassionate and friendly towards all living creatuers". Acharya Amitagati, a renowned Jain saint of the ll^th century A.D. has summarised the positive aspect of his teachings beautifully in the following verse :-

"Friendship towards all beings,
Delight in the qualities of virtuous people,
Utmost compassion for the afflicted beings,
Equanimity towards those who are not well disposed towards me.
May my soul have these dispositions for ever".


The Doctrine of Karma
According to Mahaveera, all living beings in this universe are guided by their own karmas. Every event of the life of an individual occurs due to the karmas accumulated in his previous life. In fact, there is an endless cycle of transmigration which leads to continuous rebirths in various states of embodiment. The soul is defiled due to its karmas and it remains so unless it is purified by way of cessation of sinful activities. Karmas are conceived as something essentially material which gets interlinked with the immaterial soul. As particles of dust get attached to the body smeared with oil, so does karmas with the soul. It is on account of the karmas that the soul has to suffer and undergo various births and rebirths in the diverse spheres of life as gods, men or animals. When there is contact between soul and karma through the activities of body, mind and speech, the karma particles enter into the soul. This is called influx of karma. These karma particles adhere to the soul due to non-restraint, carelessness, passion and vibration of activities. This influx of karma can be restricted by practicing righteousness, restraint of body, mind, and right conduct as advocated by Tirthankaras. When all the karmas are destroyed, the soul becomes free from bondage and is liberated. Thereafter the soul reaches its highest spiritual goal and enjoys eternal reception, eternal knowledge, eternal bliss and eternal energy.