Mahavira rejected the authority of the Vedas and Vedic rituals including animal sacrifice. He advocated a very holy, ethical and elevating code of life. The use of common languages Pali and Prakrit in place of Sanskrit and the simple and moral precepts instead of complicated Vedic hymns helped the spread of Jainism.
The incessant efforts of the Jainism made the animal sacrifice unacceptable even among the people who did not embrace Jainism. Non-violence became firmly established as a rule of life.
Jainism made the first serious attempt to mitigate the evils of caste system and ritualistic Vedic religion. Initially the Jainas were not image worshippers but later they began to worship Mahavira and other Tirthankara. This gave rise to beautiful and imposing images of Mahavira at different places. The colossal monolithic statue of Mahabali at Sravanbelgola (120 feet high) is a marvel in itself.
Jainism was much less hostile and more accommodative towards Hinduism than other religions. The fundamental logic of Jainism was no absolute affirmation of denial. This spirit of accommodation has kept Jainism alive till today.
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It did not condemn the caste system as Buddhism did. It however believed in equality. According to Mahavira a person was born in a lower caste due to his virtue or sin in the previous birth. In his opinion people of lower caste must practise pure and meritious life to attain liberation.
Jainism believed in freedom from worldly bonds. Knowledge according to Jainas was not to be pursued for its own sake but for the sake of liberation. They believed – do not live to know but know to live.
The principles of Jainism is said to have influenced the religious ethics of Mahatma Gandhi. He was born in a Bania family of Gujrat, among whom Jainism continues to be popular.