Daily PIB updates 18/04/2019 – Posted in: Press Information Bureau – Tags:

Mahaveer Jayanti

(Vice President’s Secretariat)

 

WHAT

While addressing the gathering during the Bhagwan Mahaveer Jayanti, in Hyderabad, the Vice-President of India said that:

  • The life of Bhagwan Mahaveer and the philosophy of Jainism hold many crucial lessons for contemporary world.
  • Bhagwan Mahaveer’s messages of non-violence, truth and universal compassion illuminated a path of righteousness and honesty.
  • Bhagawan Mahaveer’s teachings would keep inspiring everyone to strive for peace, harmony and progress for all humanity.
  • Bhagwan Mahaveer was one of the most illustrious and celebrated spiritual teachers to have walked on this earth.
  • Jainism has contributed greatly to the spiritual development of India and has helped fortify India’s unwavering commitment to the ideals of truth, non-violence and peace.

 

MAHAVEER

Mahaveer, also known as Vardhamana, was the twenty-fourth tirthankara (ford-maker) who revived Jainism. He expounded the spiritual, philosophical and ethical teachings of the previous tirathankaras from the remote pre-Vedic era.

Mahaveer was born in Kundgram from the womb of queen Trishala, the wife of the Lichhavi King Siddhartha, the famous leader of the Vaishali Republic. His mother was the daughter of King Chetak, the President of the Vaishali Republic. He was born in the Nath family of Kshatriya clan, 2600 years back, on the thirteenth day of the second fortnight of Chaitra month. Looking at his constant growth, his parents named him Vardhman.

 

JAINISM

  • Jainism traditionally known as Jain Dharma, is an ancient, non-theistic, Indian religion.
  • Followers of Jainism are called “Jains”, a word derived from the Sanskrit word jina (victor).
  • As per some traditions, Jainism is as old as the vedic religion.
  • There were 24 Tirthankaras the last of which was Vardhaman Mahaveer.
  • The first Tirthankara is believed to be Rishabhadev.
  • All the Tirthankaras were Kshatriyas by birth.
  • Jainism has two major ancient sub-traditions, Digambaras and svetambaras.
  • Devout Jains take five main vows: ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truth), asteya (not stealing), brahmacharya (celibacy or chastity), and aparigraha (non-attachment).

 

Source: PIB