Teachings of Lord Mahavira: Jainism Classical and Original
By K. R. Chandra
Summary
The article explains that Jainism, though often perceived as atheistic because it rejects a creator God and the authority of the Vedas, is one of the oldest world religions with a sophisticated cosmology. Mahavira’s teachings emphasise that the universe and the soul are beginningless and endless; the soul (jiva) is eternal, conscious, and inherently perfect, while non‑living matter (ajiva) includes substances like space, time, and motion. Jain philosophy is pluralistic and realistic, recognising six fundamental substances and nine categories of reality. It upholds the doctrine of non‑violence (ahimsa) and the principle of anekantavada (many‑sidedness), which teaches that truth can be viewed from multiple standpoints. The law of karma is central: karmic particles bind to the soul through actions of body, speech and mind (yoga) and are strengthened by passions such as anger, pride, deceit and greed. Karma binds the soul to cycles of birth and death; liberation is achieved by preventing the influx of new karmas (samvara) and by shedding accumulated karmas (nirjara) through right conduct, vows, austerities and meditation. Early canonical texts like the Acaranga and Sutrakrtanga present Mahavira’s original teachings. These texts describe the conduct of ascetics, classify living beings, and articulate early forms of karma theory. They emphasise rigorous discipline, non‑possession, equanimity and compassion toward all forms of life. Later doctrinal developments refine these teachings, categorising eight types of karmas (knowledge‑obscuring, perception‑obscuring, deluding, feeling‑producing, life‑span, name‑giving, family‑determining and obstructive) and describing spiritual progress through fourteen stages (gunasthanas). The article concludes that Jainism’s classical doctrine is deeply original: it asserts a universe governed by moral law rather than divine will, affirms the independent existence of souls, and offers a practical path to liberation based on self‑discipline and non‑violence.
Conclusion
Jainism, as presented by Mahavira, is a pluralistic, realistic and non‑theistic system centred on the eternal soul and the moral law of karma. It recognises multiple substances and emphasises non‑violence, many‑sidedness and self‑discipline. Karma binds souls to the cycle of rebirth through actions and passions; liberation comes through preventing karmic influx and eliminating existing karmas via right conduct, vows and austerities. Early canonical texts preserve Mahavira’s ascetic and ethical teachings, while later works elaborate on karma and spiritual stages. Overall, the doctrine offers a comprehensive moral cosmology and a practical path toward liberation without invoking a creator deity.