What were Mahavira's teachings?

Mahavira placed the jina higher in importance than God. Mahavira taught that right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct, called the triratnas (three jewels), were the path to liberation. He emphasized ahimsa (non-violence), believing that all living and non-living things had souls. He preached five main principles:

1. Ahimsa (non-violence): not to injure any living being
2. Satya: to speak the truth
3. Asteya: not to steal
4. Tyaga: not to own property
5. Brahmacharya: to lead a life of celibacy