16 Mahavira Quotes

Mahavira quotes

1. A living body is not merely an integration of limbs and flesh but it is the abode of the soul which potentially has perfect perception (Anant-darshana), perfect knowledge (Anant-jnana), perfect power (Anant-virya), and perfect bliss (Anant-sukha).

2. Non-violence and kindness to living beings is kindness to oneself. For thereby one's own self is saved from various kinds of sins and resultant sufferings and is able to secure his own welfare.

3. Kill Not. Cause no pain.

4. All breathing, existing, living, sentient creatures should not be slain, nor treated with violence, nor abused, nor tormented, nor driven away. - Acharanga Sutra (book 1, lect 4, lesson 1) Translated by H. Jacobi

1. Soul is the central point of spiritual discipline.

2. All are my friends. I have no enemies.

3. The nature of things is dharma.

4. All souls are equal and alike and have the similar nature and qualities.

5. Live and allow others to live; hurt no one; life is dear to all living beings.

6. By sincerity, a man gains physical, mental and linguistic straightforwardness, and harmonious tendency; that is, congruence of speech and action.

7. If one undertakes retrospection of the day's events, one must do it regularly at the appointed hour, not fitfully, not doing it today, neglecting to do it tomorrow and the day after and then taking it up again on the fourth day. Such irregular practice is not conducive to the confirmation of the habit of retrospection.

8. Attachment and aversion are the root cause of karma, and karma originates from infatuation. Karma is the root cause of birth and death, and these are said to be the source of misery. None can escape the effect of their own past karma.

9. The most important principle of environment is that you are not the only element.

10. Eating constitutes the greatest obstacle to self-control; it gives rise to indolence.

11. If you want to cultivate a habit, do it without any reservation, till it is firmly established. Until it is so confirmed, until it becomes a part of your character, let there be no exception, no relaxation of effort.

12. Start the practice of self-control with some penance; begin with fasting.