Final answer:
Mahavira, an important figure in Jainism, believed in the release of the soul through practice of asceticism and non-attachment to worldly possessions. His teachings on non-violence and universal love have been influential not only in Jainism but also in other philosophies and religions such as Buddhism.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the course of his life, Mahavira came to believe that in order to find release of one's soul, one must practice both asceticism and non-attachment to worldly possessions. Asceticism involves self-discipline and abstaining from indulgence, often in the pursuit of religious and spiritual goals, which was prevalent in the eastern part of the Ganges plains, the area where Jainism and Buddhism developed. Jainism, the religious tradition that Mahavira is most associated with, advocates for ahimsa (non-violence), which led its followers to practice vegetarianism and to renounce war. Within Jainism, the release of the soul, or liberation, is achieved through living a life of universal love, practicing asceticism, and demonstrating non-attachment to material things. The idea of non-attachment also influenced other philosophies and religions such as Buddhism, which emphasizes the cessation of suffering through detachment from desires and following the middle way as part of its path to enlightenment.