With reference to Jainism answer the following questions:

(a) Who was Mahavira? Why was he called Jina?

(b) State the five vows which a Jain householder has to take.

(c) State the Jains view on Karma and salvation.

(a) Mahavira was the twenty-fourth and last of the tirthankaras. He is considered as the founder of Jainism because he made Jainism popular and systematic.
Mahavira was called Jina because after obtaining the supreme knowledge, he subdued his desires and became the conqueror. The term jina was used for those who have conquered their desires.

(b) The five vows which a Jain householder has to take are:

1. Ahimsa: non violence.
2. Achaurya or Asteya: not stealing.
3. Satya: not telling a lie.
4. Aparigraha: not possessing property.
5. Brahmacharya: practising chastity.

(c) Jains view on Karma and salvation are:

1. Karma — The Jains believed that one should be responsible for one's own Karma or actions and good deeds alone liberate a man from the cycle of life and death.
2. Salvation — Jains believed in salvation or Moksha. According to them it was necessary to practice the tri-ratnas of right faith, right knowledge and right action to attain salvation.