Mahavira His Life And Teachings

Here's a comprehensive summary of "Mahavira: His Life and Teachings" by Bimala Churn Law, based on the provided text:

Overview:

This book, "Mahavira: His Life and Teachings" by Bimala Churn Law, published by Luzac & Co. in 1937, aims to present an account of the life and doctrines of Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. The author draws upon both original Jain and Buddhist texts, highlighting how a comparative study illuminates aspects of Mahavira's life and teachings. The work is intended to be a useful resource for anyone interested in Jainism.

Mahavira's Life:

• Historical Figure: Modern research establishes Mahavira as a historical figure, not a myth. His immediate predecessor was Parsva, also proven to be historical.
• Evidence Sources: The authenticity of Jain traditions is supported by both direct Jain canonical texts (Agama or Siddhanta) and collateral Buddhist canonical texts. Inscriptions from the 3rd century BC (Ashoka's Pillar Edict) mention the "Niganthas" (followers of Mahavira), and the Hathigumpha inscription of Khāravela honors them as "Arhat Śramaņas."
• Buddhist References: Mahavira is known to Buddhists as "Nigantha Nātaputta." Buddhist texts provide detailed criticisms of Nirgrantha doctrines, describe their practices (like uposatha), mention their lay followers as "Savakas" or "Śrāvakas," and note the division among his followers after his demise at Pava. They also associate him with other contemporary teachers.
• Name and Clan: "Nigantha" means "unfettered," both outwardly (nakedness) and inwardly (free from worldly attachments). "Nātaputta" signifies his descent from the Nāya, Nāta, or Jñātr clan of Ksatriyas, similar to how the Buddha was called Sakyaputta.
• Contemporaneity with Buddha: Mahavira was an elder contemporary of the Buddha, though they likely did not meet personally. They communicated through intermediaries. Both claimed descent from ruling clans and were exponents of the doctrine of action (Kriyāvāda). Mahavira predeceased the Buddha by several years.
• Geographical Scope: Mahavira's activities and his followers' movements are traced in areas like Anga-Magadha, the territories of the Vṛji-Licchavis and Mallas, and the kingdom of Kāśi-Kośala. Key locations mentioned include Rājagaha, Nalanda, Vesali, Pāvā, and Srāvasti.
• Asceticism and Enlightenment: Mahavira renounced the world at age 30. After twelve years of penance and meditation, he attained omniscience (Kevala) at age 42, and preached for another thirty years. His life as an ascetic was marked by extreme hardship, nakedness, endurance of pain and insults, and strict adherence to vows.
• Family and Early Life: He was married to Yasoda and had a daughter, Anojjā. His parents were lay supporters of Parsva and died through practiced slow starvation. He was given the name Vardhamana ("Prosperous") because his birth increased his family's wealth and fame. The name Mahavira was bestowed by gods for his fortitude.
• Disciples and Followers: Mahavira had a large following, including eleven distinguished Ganadharas (chief disciples), thousands of monks and nuns, and hundreds of thousands of lay disciples. Prominent lay followers mentioned include Upali, Mrgāra, Ananda, Sivananda, Kamadeva, Bhadra, and others.
• Relationship with Gośāla: Maskariputra Gośāla, the founder of the Ajivika sect, was a contemporary and initially a fellow ascetic with Mahavira. Their association lasted six years, but they parted ways due to differing views on reanimation. The Ajivikas and Nirgranthas had shared roots in Parsva's teachings.
• Comparison with Parsva's Order: Mahavira's parents were followers of Parsva. Initially, Mahavira may have joined Parsva's order, which wore clothes. A key difference between Parsva's followers and Mahavira's was the "fourfold restraint" (cātuāma-saṁvara) versus Mahavira's "five great vows" (pañca mahāvratas), which added chastity. Disputes between the two groups are recorded.
• Date of Nirvana: Jain tradition places Mahavira's Nirvana in 527 BCE, while Buddhist traditions date the Buddha's demise to 544 or 543 BCE. Harmonizing these dates is complex, but it's generally accepted that Mahavira predeceased the Buddha. Alternative scholarly dates for Buddha's demise are also noted.

Mahavira's Teachings:

• Canonical Basis: The core of Mahavira's teachings is found in the twelve Angas of the Jain Canon, written in Ardha-Māgadhi, which is considered younger than Pali. The Sūtrakṛtānga is highlighted as containing some of the most ancient parts of the Siddhanta.
• The Goal: Nirvana (Moksa): The ultimate aim is Nirvana or Moksa, which signifies peace, liberation, deliverance, or perfection. It is a state of infinite bliss, attainable through human effort. It is not extinction but a state of eternal, blissful existence of the soul.
• The Path: Austerity and Restraint: The path to Nirvana is characterized by dukkhakārikā (rigorous practice of penances or austerities) and saṁvara (self-restraint). This involves extenuating past karma through penance and avoiding the accumulation of new karma.
• Doctrine of Action (Kriyāvāda/Karmavāda): Mahavira was a proponent of Kriyāvāda, the doctrine that all experiences, pleasant or painful, are due to past karma. This emphasizes moral responsibility for one's actions. This doctrine is contrasted with akriyāvāda (non-action), ajñānavāda (skepticism), and vinayavāda (formalism).
• Syādvāda: This dialectical doctrine, also referred to as the doctrine of nayas (viewpoints), aims to avoid exclusiveness in judgments and find harmony. It acknowledges multiple perspectives on reality.
• The Three Jewels (Triratna): Right Knowledge (Jñāna), Right Faith (Darśana), and Right Conduct (Charitra) form the core of Mahavira's path to liberation.
  • Right Knowledge: Encompasses various types, from sensory experience to omniscience (kevala-jñāna). It's about religious vision and wisdom.
  • Right Faith: Involves insight into truths, conviction in the teacher, and acceptance of core principles, leading to a transformed outlook and inspiring action.
  • Right Conduct: Emphasizes purity of morals through threefold restraint (body, speech, mind), avoiding sins, and observing vows.
• Nine Terms (Navatattva): The system of Jainism is organized around nine terms: jīva (soul), ajīva (non-soul), bandha (bondage), puṇya (merit), pāpa (demerit), āśrava (influx of karma), saṁvara (stoppage of influx), karmakṣaya (destruction of karma), and mokṣa (liberation). These explain the cycle of karma and the path to liberation.
• The Nature of Reality: The universe is considered eternal, composed of substances (astikāyas) that have always existed and will continue to exist. These include soul (jīva) and non-soul (ajīva).
• Leśyā: This term signifies the "color" or state of the soul, influenced by actions and passions. It's a classification system that traces back to Parsva.
• Emphasis on Ahimsā (Non-violence): Ahimsā is the foundational principle. Its practical demonstration was expected to influence even animals. This principle led to vegetarianism and a more compassionate approach to life.
• Social Impact: Mahavira's teachings advocated for the equality of all regardless of caste, creed, or sex, dispensing with hereditary priesthood. His emphasis on self-responsibility and the possibility of salvation through human effort empowered individuals.
• Worldview: The world is often depicted as a gloomy place of suffering (saṁsāra). However, the prospect of religious life and achieving Nirvana through focused human effort offers a bright counterpoint. The core of Jainism is not an empty heart but one emptied of negative qualities and filled with virtues like love and kindness.

In essence, "Mahavira: His Life and Teachings" by Bimala Churn Law provides a scholarly yet accessible overview of the life of the 24th Tirthankara, drawing heavily on both Jain and Buddhist sources to reconstruct his historical context and elaborate on his profound philosophical and ethical teachings.