Oshwals are followers of the Jain faith, an ancient religion originating from India. Jainism was preached by 24 Tirthankaras (liberated souls) of which Lord Mahavir was the 24th Tirthankar and who propounded the current form of Jainism.
Mahavir
Lord Mahavir was born in 599 BCE in Bihar, India and was a prince. At the age of 30 he gave up all attachment to worldly goods and family and took up the life of an ascetic. After 12 and a half years of severe penance he achieved Keval Gnan (realization of perfect perception, knowledge, power, and bliss). For the next 30 years, he travelled far and wide in India teaching the philosophy of the Jain faith. In 527 BCE, at the age of 72, Lord Mahavir attained Nirvana (complete liberation from the cycle of life and birth)
Principles
Jainism teaches that the path to liberation from the cycle of life and birth is to live a life of harmlessness and renunciation. Jain principles are set so that they can be practiced by ascetics, as well as lay members of the community with varying degrees of penance. The very essence of Jainism is the concern of the welfare of every being within the Universe and for the health and welfare of the Universe.
Guiding Principles
Right Belief, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct
The 5 Great Vows
- Ahimsa – Non violence towards all living creatures
- Aparihagraha – Non- attachment to possessions and others
- Satya – Truth
- Asteya – Not Stealing
- Brahmacharya – Sexual Restraint
By practicing these basic tenets, followers of the Jain faith believe that human kind will be able to live in peace and harmony with each other and with all living beings in the Universe.
An ardent follower of the principle of Ahimsa in modern times was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi)
