Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, the 24th Teerthankar of Jain religion. Usually it occurs in the months of March or April but this year it is on Sunday, 28 March, 2010. Mahavir, also known as Vardhamana, is the last prophets in the 24 Teerthankaras galaxy. He was one of the greatest Teerthankaras born to Siddhartha and Trishala Devi in the year 599 B.C on the outskirts of Vaishali near Patna.
As a young prince, Mahavir displayed many instances of fearlessness which earned him the name, Mahavir. He was an epitome of physical prowess and intellectual insight. He gave up the comforts of the palace and his kingship and undertook the life of penance for 12 years. He simplified religious procedures and condemned violence in the form of animal sacrifice, superstitions and rituals.
Mahavir Jayanti remembers Lord Mahavir’s teaching, “Do unto others as you would like to be done by. Injury or violence done by you to any life in any from, animal or human is as harmful as it would be if caused to your own self.”
Mahavir initiated a very simple path for the householders, namely, Ahimsa (non injury-physical or mental, to others), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (temperance in sexual pleasure) and Aparigraha (non-acquisition of property). He also enforced upon abstinence from any kind of physical and material comforts for monks and nuns. He laid stress on highest ethical and spiritual discipline and emphasized that the Unity of Life forms is the highest saving principles of mankind.
Mahavir Jayanti reminds people of Lord Mahavira’s message of non-injury to every living being and stressed on the ill effects of never ending human craving that ends up destroying and exploiting other living species. Such human behavior may land them in deadly perils.
Even after 2500 years of passing away of this pious soul, monks till today maintain his pure and upright tradition and spreading Mahavir’s teachings of peace, non-violence, non-injury and brotherhood among people. Thousands of Sanyasins and Sanyasinis walk on foot on Mahavir Jayanti from town to town spreading his messages.
Prime Minster Manmohan Singh and President Smt. Pratibha Patil greeted the nation on this occasion. “Lord Mahavir’s profound message remains a beacon of hope in today’s world,” he said.
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I would like to bring into your kind attention about a false propaganda made by one of the Tamil Television Channel, against Jainism.
ReplyDeleteOn Saturday (3-April-2010 @ 9:30 PM IST) Vasanth TV, operating from Chennai, broadcast a short story in the name of "Pullan Vissaranai" about Fake saints.
In the topic of discussions, their main target was Jainism and our respected Muni's.The most disturbing part of this program was the comparison they made on Jain Monks and Nithyanantha (a recently accused Hindu saint)
As they conclude Jains spoiled Hindu's ethics and thats the cause for all recent corruptions and created such fake saints.
They intentionally ignored the true concept of Shramana and mis-leaded the Tamil community with fake interpretation.
Kindly publish this information and convey our strong condemn for such false propaganda.
Thanks
Chinnathambi Harishenan
namaste
ReplyDeletei m searching for an incredible and enlightened jain saint mother that we were calling "guru MA"(i don t know other name!!)and i met her during Mahavir Jayanti 2001 in a temple in mysore.
i also know among the nuns following her were her sister(very old).
Guru MA was walking bare feet all around india during 8 month/year,and finishing the trip in MYSORE i guess.help me please!blessings.ollie