Mahavir Jayanti in India (14/04)

The birthday of the founder of the Jain religion Mahavir Jayanti, 24 and the last tirthankara (Sansk. «leading across the ocean», that is, a prophet who leads through life) — is the main holiday of Jains. Celebrated by prayers, fasting, devoid of pomp, pilgrimages to Jain shrines — ancient temples in Girnar and Palitana (Gujarat state) and other places, as well as relatively modest treats.

Digambara (dressed in light) — followers of one of the — sects believe that Mahavira was born in 615 BC, Shvetambara (dressed in white) — followers of another — sect that in 599 BC. near the city of Vaishali. His father came from a Kshatriya family (a class of aristocrats), and his mother — came from an influential family belonging to the Lichhava tribe.

At the age of 30, after giving away his possessions, Mahavira became an itinerant ascetic and devoted 12 years to complete asceticism. At the age of 43, Mahavira achieved absolute knowledge and became a gina (winner), that is, freed from any psychophysical dependence. This happened under a tree of sal that became sacred to the Jains.

For 30 years, Mahavira promoted his teachings in various Prigang states and gained many disciples and followers. He left the world at the age of 72, starving himself to death.

The path to liberation determined by Mahavira, — is following «three jewels»:

First — «perfect worldview», i.e. the ability to see the world as it is presented in the teachings of Mahavira;

Second — «perfect knowledge»: understanding the true essence of the soul and the world around us, overcoming ignorance, which is the main cause of «-Earth passions and desires»;

Third — «perfect behavior», that is, following the rules established by Mahavira. They boil down to fulfilling the «five great vows (panchamahavrat): ahimsa (non-harm to living beings); satya (righteousness); asteya (non-appropriation of someone else's); brahmacharya (observance of chastity); aparigraha (abstinence from vain attachments, that is, renunciation of property, entertainment, pleasure).

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