Mahavira's Teachings on Leading a Simple Life

Upanishad = 'to sit at the feet of the Guru (teacher) to receive the teaching' Vedas = Religious texts Mahavira = Preached in a commonly spoken language Buddha = Did not believe in the caste system

Upanishads = More spiritual and philosophical in content than the Vedas 108 Upanishads = Number of Upanishads most historians say exist Classical Upanishads = 11 considered to be the main Upanishads Eighth to fourth century BCE = Time period most Upanishads were written

'Upa', 'ni', 'shad' = Syllables making up the word 'Upanishad' Social equality = Idea that attracted people from lower castes Thinkers around Buddha's time = Also trying to find the true meaning of life 'To sit at the feet of the Guru' = Meaning of 'Upanishad'

Against rituals and animal sacrifices = Belief in leading a simple life Principle of non-injury to all living beings = Belief that every living being has a soul Goal of setting the soul free = Belief in the tri-ratnas or three jewels of life Right belief, right knowledge, right action = Principles for achieving liberation

Digambaras = Sky-clad individuals who do not wear clothes Svetambaras = White-clad individuals who wear only white clothes Mahavira's belief on caste and sects = Rejection of the caste system for attaining liberation Anyone can attain liberation by performing good deeds = Teaching that caste is not a barrier to liberation

From Odisha to Gujarat and Mysuru = Initial spread of Jainism in India Later spread to Rajasthan, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh = Expansion of Jainism in South and West India Preservation of Mahavira's teachings through oral tradition = Initial method of preserving Jainism's teachings Spread among traders and craftsmen = Popularity among specific social groups