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Jainism: Lord Mahavira
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Jainism is one of the oldest living religions in the world. It was founded by Mahavira in 6th century BC and has remained more or less unchanged for centuries. Mahavira was born in Kudargram near Patna. He renounced an opulent lifestyle to become an ascetic, and took up severe penance and austerities before he finally attained enlightenment at Jrimbhika Grama. Thereafter, he preached the path of total abstinence and renunciation from all worldly desires to attain moksha or salvation.
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The followers of Jainism are divided into two sects, viz., the Digambars or 'sky-clad' who theoretically accept the principle of a living person being shorn of garments. The second sect is that of the Shwetambars who clothe themselves with unstitched white cloth. The Shwetambars split from the main body of the Jaina religion some 200 years after Mahavira but today they account for a majority among the Jains. The Shwetambar Jains are concentrated in Gujarat and Rajasthan. The Digambars are mostly found in Karnataka.
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In summary, Jainism existed before Lord Mahavir, and his teachings were based on those of his predecessors. Thus Mahavir was more of a reformer and propagator of an existing religious order than the founder of a new faith. He followed the well-established creed of his predecessor Lord Parshva. However, he did reorganize the philosophical tenets and codes of conduct to correspond to his time.
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Around 80 A. D. the Jainism was divided into two sects. The Svetambara or "white clad" and The Digambara or "sky clad". The Svetambara are more liberal in their interpretation of Mahavirals teaching regarding nudity and allow their monks to wear a white garment. Women are ... allowed in their religion and monasteries accepting the possibility that they may find salvation. The Digambara are more traditionalists. They adhere to the old ideals that require their monks to go about naked. The Digambara sect believes that women have no chance of achieving salvation until they are reborn as men.
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Jainism was founded in the 6th century BC by Vardhamana Mahavira, a contemporary of Siddhartha Gotama, the Buddha (see Buddha). Mahavira is believed to be the last in a series of 24 Tirthankaras in the first age of the world. In the next age another 24 will live.
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Note: The two main sects of Jainism do not communicate with one another. The only common activity is the celebration of Mahavira's life. The Digambaras completely reject the Shvetambara's canon, and they refuse to worship in the latter's temples, primarily because they dress up and adorn their statutes. The Digambaras have much less emphasis on scripture and much more stress on spiritual practice. Note: The great irony here is that Hindu sects are much more tolerant of one another than these two Jain sects!
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Lord Mahavira