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{{#seo:
|title=Jainism – Ancient Indian Religion of Non-Violence
|title=Jainism – History, Beliefs, and Practices
|description=Jainism is an ancient Indian religion emphasizing non-violence, truth, and asceticism. Founded by Mahavira, it promotes liberation through self-discipline and detachment.
|description=Learn about Jainism, an ancient Indian religion emphasizing non-violence, truth, and ascetic living. Explore its history, philosophy, sects, and cultural impact in India and beyond.
|keywords=Jainism, Mahavira, Tirthankaras, Ahimsa, Indian religions, Jain philosophy, Jain temples, Digambara, Shvetambara
|keywords=Jainism, Jain religion, Mahavira, Tirthankaras, Ahimsa, Jain philosophy, Digambara, Shvetambara, Indian religions
}}
|image=https://knowlepedia.org/images/Jainism.jpeg
 
|og:type=article
'''[[Jainism]]''' is one of the oldest [[religions]] originating in the [[Indian subcontinent]]. It emphasizes '''[[Ahimsa|non-violence]]''', '''[[Satya|truth]]''', '''[[Asteya|non-stealing]]''', '''[[Brahmacharya|celibacy]]''', and '''[[Aparigraha|non-possession]]'''. Practitioners aim for [[moksha|liberation]] through self-discipline and [[asceticism|ascetic living]].<ref>https://www.britannica.com/topic/Jainism</ref>
|og:title=Jainism – History, Beliefs, and Practices
|og:description=An overview of Jainism, one of the world’s oldest religions, focusing on non-violence (Ahimsa), truth, spiritual liberation, and its role in Indian culture and history.
|og:image=https://knowlepedia.org/images/Jainism.jpeg
|twitter:card=summary_large_image
}} {{Infobox religion
| name        = Jainism
| image      = Jainism.jpeg
| image_caption = Jain symbol: Ahimsa hand and swastika
| founder    = Mahavira
| founded    = ~6th century BCE
| origin      = Indian subcontinent
| texts      = Agamas (Jainism)|Agamas, Tattvartha Sutra
| beliefs    = Ahimsa, Anekantavada, Karma, Moksha
| practices  = Fasting, meditation, vows, temple worship
| goal        = Moksha (liberation from rebirth)
| followers  = ~4–5 million
| sects      = Digambara, Shvetambara
| symbols    = Ahimsa in Jainism|Ahimsa hand, Swastika
| motto      = ''Parasparopagraho Jīvānām''
| website    =
}}'''Jainism''' is one of the oldest religions originating in the Indian subcontinent. It emphasizes '''Ahimsa|non-violence''', '''Satya|truth''', '''Asteya|non-stealing''', '''Brahmacharya|celibacy''', and '''Aparigraha|non-possession'''. Practitioners aim for moksha|liberation through self-discipline and asceticism|ascetic living.<ref>https://www.britannica.com/topic/Jainism</ref>


== Origins and History ==
== Origins and History ==
Jainism traces its spiritual lineage through 24 '''[[Tirthankara]]s''', spiritual teachers who achieved liberation. The last and most well-known Tirthankara is '''[[Mahavira]]''' (599–527 BCE), a contemporary of [[Gautama Buddha|the Buddha]], who systematized the faith.<ref>https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/jainism/history/history.shtml</ref>
Jainism traces its spiritual lineage through 24 '''Tirthankaras''', spiritual teachers who achieved liberation. The last and most well-known Tirthankara is '''Mahavira''' (599–527 BCE), a contemporary of [[Gautama Buddha|the Buddha]], who systematized the faith.


* Jainism does not believe in a [[God in Jainism|creator god]].
* Jainism does not believe in a creator god.
* It believes in eternal [[soul]]s and the [[karma|karmic]] cycle of rebirth.
* It believes in eternal souls and the karmic cycle of rebirth.
* The first Tirthankara is '''[[Rishabhanatha]]'''.
* The first Tirthankara is '''Rishabhanatha'''.


== Beliefs and Philosophy ==
== Beliefs and Philosophy ==
Core Jain beliefs include:
Core Jain beliefs include:
* '''[[Ahimsa (Jainism)|Ahimsa]]''' – Not harming any living being.
* '''Ahimsa''' – Not harming any living being.
* '''[[Anekantavada]]''' – Truth has many perspectives.
* '''Anekantavada''' – Truth has many perspectives.
* '''[[Karma in Jainism|Karma and Rebirth]]'''
* '''Karma and Rebirth'''
* '''[[Moksha in Jainism|Moksha]]''' – Liberation from the cycle of [[samsara|birth and death]].
* '''Moksha''' – Liberation from the cycle of birth and death.


== Sects ==
== Sects ==
Jainism is divided into two main [[sects]]:
Jainism is divided into two main sects:
* '''[[Digambara]]''' – Ascetics practice extreme renunciation and often wear no clothes.
* '''Digambara''' – Ascetics practice extreme renunciation and often wear no clothes.
* '''[[Shvetambara]]''' – Ascetics wear white clothes and are more community-oriented.<ref>https://www.worldhistory.org/Jainism/</ref>
* '''Shvetambara''' – Ascetics wear white clothes and are more community-oriented.


== Practices ==
== Practices ==
* [[Fasting]], [[meditation]], and [[prayer]].
* Fasting, meditation, and prayer.
* Following the '''[[Five Great Vows (Mahavrata)]]'''.
* Following the '''Five Great Vows (Mahavrata)'''.
* Worship in '''[[Jain temple]]s''', often intricately carved and decorated.
* Worship in '''Jain temples''', often intricately carved and decorated.
* Celebrating festivals like '''[[Mahavir Jayanti]]''', '''[[Paryushan]]''', and [[Diwali]] (marking Mahavira’s [[nirvana]]).
* Celebrating festivals like '''Mahavir Jayanti''', '''Paryushan''', and [[Diwali]] (marking Mahavira’s nirvana).


== Temples and Art ==
== Temples and Art ==
Famous Jain temples include:
Famous Jain temples include:
* [[Palitana Temples]], [[Gujarat]]
* Palitana Temples, [[Gujarat]]
* [[Ranakpur Jain temple|Ranakpur Temple]], [[Rajasthan]]
* Ranakpur Temple, [[Rajasthan]]
* [[Shravanabelagola]], [[Karnataka]] – Home to the statue of [[Bahubali]]
* Shravanabelagola, [[Karnataka]] – Home to the statue of Bahubali
* [[Dilwara Temples]], [[Mount Abu]]
* Dilwara Temples, Mount Abu


Jain [[art]] is known for its symbolism, detailed iconography, and dedication to non-violent imagery.
Jain art is known for its symbolism, detailed iconography, and dedication to non-violent imagery.


== Sacred Texts ==
== Sacred Texts ==
* '''[[Agamas (Jainism)|Agamas]]''' – Canonical texts of Jain teachings (especially for Shvetambaras)
* '''Agamas''' – Canonical texts of Jain teachings (especially for Shvetambaras)
* '''[[Tattvartha Sutra]]''' – A key philosophical text accepted by all Jains<ref>https://www.jainlibrary.org/</ref>
* '''Tattvartha Sutra''' – A key philosophical text accepted by all Jains


== Influence ==
== Influence ==
* Strong impact on [[Indian ethics]], [[vegetarianism]], and [[legal thought]].
* Strong impact on Indian ethics, vegetarianism, and legal thought.
* Prominent Jain communities are found in [[India]], the [[United Kingdom|UK]], [[United States|USA]], [[Canada]], and [[East Africa]].
* Prominent Jain communities are found in [[India]], the [[United Kingdom|UK]], [[United States|USA]], [[Canada]], and [[East Africa]].
* Many Jain scholars contributed to [[mathematics]], [[astronomy]], and [[logic]] in ancient India.
* Many Jain scholars contributed to mathematics, astronomy, and logic in ancient India.


== Notable Jains ==
== Notable Jains ==
* '''[[Virchand Gandhi]]''' – Represented Jainism at the [[Parliament of the World's Religions (1893)]]
* '''Virchand Gandhi''' – Represented Jainism at the Parliament of the World's Religions (1893)
* '''[[Shrimad Rajchandra]]''' – Spiritual guide to [[Mahatma Gandhi]]
* '''Shrimad Rajchandra''' – Spiritual guide to [[Mahatma Gandhi]]
* '''[[Gautam Adani]]''', '''[[Lalit Doshi]]''' – Prominent Jain business figures
* '''Gautam Adani''', '''Lalit Doshi''' – Prominent Jain business figures


== See Also ==
== See Also ==
* [[Mahavira]]
* Mahavira
* [[Tirthankara]]
* Tirthankara
* [[Jain temples]]
* Jain temples
* [[Ahimsa]]
* Ahimsa
* [[Indian religions]]
* Indian religions
* [[Digambara]]
* Digambara
* [[Shvetambara]]
* Shvetambara
* [[Jain philosophy]]
* Jain philosophy


== References ==
== References ==
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<references />
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