Mahavir's teachings still relevant

New Delhi, April 22 (IANS) President Pranab Mukherjee Monday said the world is experiencing multiple challenges and at such the teachings enunciated by Jain saint Lord Mahavira hold great significance.

"The teachings of Bhagwan Mahavira are still very apt and relevant and this is a time to bring his message and teachings to the forefront of our approach in dealing with today's problems," he said.

He was inaugurating a seminar on "Solution of Global Challenges through Mahavira Philosophy" here. Lord Mahavira was born about 600 years before the birth of Christ.

Mahavira was the major propagator of Jainism. According to Jain traditions, he was the 24th and the last saint.

The philosophy and teachings of Lord Mahavira hold great significance to overcome the various challenges of life.

The universal truth of his philosophy and teachings make them equally applicable to the modern world, he said.

Answers to contemporary problems like erosion of environment and natural resources, violence through war and terrorism, religious intolerance, and economic exploitation of poor could be found in Lord Mahavira's teachings, he said.

The president added that the deterioration of environment and depletion of natural resources has engaged the attention of the world today and Mahavira's doctrines are a meaningful approach to address this growing crisis.