Mahavira: see Jainism Jainism [i.e., the religion of Jina], religious system of India practiced by about 5,000,000 persons. Jainism, Ajivika, and Buddhism arose in the 6th cent. B.C.
..... Click the link for more information. .
(born traditionally c. 599, Kshatriyakundagrama, India—died traditionally 527 BCE, Pavapuri) Indian reformer of the Jain monastic community, last of the 24 Tirthankaras, or saints, who founded Jainism. Born into the warrior caste, he renounced the world at age 30 for a life of extreme asceticism. He had no possessions, not even rags to cover his body or a bowl for alms or food, and after 12 years he attained kevala, the highest stage of perception. An advocate of nonviolence and vegetarianism, he revived and reorganized Jain doctrine and established rules for its monastic order. His followers made five vows of renunciation (see Jain vrata).
..... Click the link for more information. .
Mahavira
orig. Vardhamana)
Mahavira enthroned, miniature from the Kalpa-sutra, 15th-century western Indian school; in …
(credit: Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution, Freer Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.)
Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content.
| ?Page tools | ||
|---|---|---|
|