The Relevance of Bhagawan Mahavir’s Preachings at Present Times

By: Om Gandhi

Modern society can be described as fleeting joys hidden within a haystack of challenges and burdens. In search of these small joys, passions and hatred overwhelmingly consume us, making it abundantly clear that we have deviated from the path of spirituality. We care more about materialistic possessions than the values of forgiveness, humility, straightforwardness, and contentment. We would rather discuss politics than recite the stutis¹ and sutras that enable us to reflect on our deeds and contemplate on the qualities of the Tirthankars². We have forgotten our vows and instead indulge our every pleasure with no self-restraint. And while our intentions may be pure, we still get pulled into the vortex of Kashayas³, forcing us to engage in the very actions that we vowed against. How then, do we follow the guidelines of Jain scriptures while simultaneously living in this Dukham Kal⁴ full of hate and untruths? In fact, only the teachings of Mahavir Swami — the 24th Tirthankar — will empower us to find a feasible medium between the juxtaposing aspects of spirituality and the nature of modern reality.

Throughout modern history, inequality, prejudice, and discrimination are depressingly common. From genocides like the Holocaust to the systemic racism and oppression entrenched deep within American society, humans have always unjustly treated those who look different, often resorting to violence. By contrast, understanding the Karma theory and Mahavir Swami’s emphasis on the Ratna Trayi epitomizes how all souls, regardless of their physical characteristics, are equal in their potential towards achieving Samyag Darshan (right faith), Samyag Jnan (right knowledge), and Samyag Charitra (right conduct). Mahavir Swami himself was strongly against the Indian caste system that stratified individuals because of uncontrollable characteristics. Why shouldn’t we follow in his footsteps and facilitate equality for others? Why should we succumb to the Kashayas of anger, ego, greed, and deceit?

However, the impact of his teachings doesn’t end at structural inequality. In fact, it affects each and every aspect of our Man (thoughts), Vachan (words), and Kaya (actions). For example, vegetarianism, preached by Mahavir Swami, is a dietary framework to extend Ahimsa beyond the human sphere and consider all living beings both ethically and ecologically. Embedded within this framework is the need to implement both Anukampa, empathy towards all living beings, and the Bhavnas⁵ into our daily lives to ensure that we spread values of compassion and kindness towards all living beings while also minimizing Krodh (anger). In fact, perhaps the most prevalent force of harm in modern times is this anger. As highlighted in Mahavir Swami’s sermons, accepting the multifaceted points-of-view of others through the logic of Anekantavada⁶ can allow us to counter these feelings of anger and exercise equanimity towards all, especially during times of disagreement.

Only the application of Mahavir Swami’s teachings, which are more relevant now than ever, will lead us out of the ever-prevalent darkness of ignorance and into the light of knowledge. His guidance has truly important impacts, from inspiring us to spiritually focus on the 14 Purvas in the Navkar Mantra to allowing us to make moral decisions to climb up the 14 Gunasthanas — the stages of spiritual development. And through his teachings, we can only hope to find the answers to our questions, guiding us to find the balance between a modern life and a religious one.

If anything in this article has offended you or gone against the teachings of Bhagwan Mahavir, I sincerely ask for forgiveness. Micchami Dukkadam!

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With some modifications, this article was originally written for the Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago essay competition.

1: Stutis are prayers and praises usually in song form while sutras are religious texts

2: Tirthankars are the spiritual teachers of Dharma in Jainism

3: The 4 Kashayas are the main passions that can be gained during worldly life, each with their own intensity

4: Dukham Kal is one of the 6 eras of the Jain time cycle and is currently prevailing. It is also known as the era of unhappiness or the 5th era.

5: The 12 Bhavnas are reflections and thoughts that Jain doctrine states one should meditate on to develop purity of mind.

6: Ankentavada is a Jain doctrine that states that the truth has multiple aspects and that no single statement can describe the absolute truth.