Jainism

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.

Jainism
	Jain symbol: Ahimsa hand and swastika
Founder	Mahavira
Founded	~6th century BCE
Place of origin	Indian subcontinent
Scriptures	Agamas (Jainism)
Key beliefs	Ahimsa, Anekantavada, Karma, Moksha
Practices	Fasting, meditation, vows, temple worship
Ultimate goal	Moksha (liberation from rebirth)
Followers	~4–5 million
Major sects	Digambara, Shvetambara
Symbols	Ahimsa in Jainism
Motto	Parasparopagraho Jīvānām
Website

Origins and History

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 the Buddha, who systematized the faith.

• Jainism does not believe in a creator god.
• It believes in eternal souls and the karmic cycle of rebirth.
• The first Tirthankara is Rishabhanatha.

Beliefs and Philosophy

Core Jain beliefs include:

• Ahimsa – Not harming any living being.
• Anekantavada – Truth has many perspectives.
• Karma and Rebirth
• Moksha – Liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Sects

Jainism is divided into two main sects:

• Digambara – Ascetics practice extreme renunciation and often wear no clothes.
• Shvetambara – Ascetics wear white clothes and are more community-oriented.

Practices

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

Temples and Art

Famous Jain temples include:

• Palitana Temples, Gujarat
• Ranakpur Temple, Rajasthan
• Shravanabelagola, Karnataka – Home to the statue of Bahubali
• Dilwara Temples, Mount Abu

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

Sacred Texts

• Agamas – Canonical texts of Jain teachings (especially for Shvetambaras)
• Tattvartha Sutra – A key philosophical text accepted by all Jains

Influence

• Strong impact on Indian ethics, vegetarianism, and legal thought.
• Prominent Jain communities are found in India, the UK, USA, Canada, and East Africa.
• Many Jain scholars contributed to mathematics, astronomy, and logic in ancient India.

Notable Jains

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

See Also

• Mahavira
• Tirthankara
• Jain temples
• Ahimsa
• Indian religions
• Digambara
• Shvetambara
• Jain philosophy