Jainism
| Jainism | |
|---|---|
| Family | Indian / Dharmic |
| Origin region | Indian subcontinent |
| Founding period | Ancient; current era associated with Mahavira in the 6th-5th century BCE |
| Estimated adherents | Several million globally, especially in India and diaspora communities. |
Jainism is An Indian tradition centered on nonviolence, many-sided truth, karma, ascetic discipline, and liberation of the soul.
Overview
Jainism teaches that souls are bound by karma and can attain liberation through right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct. Ahimsa, nonviolence, is a defining ideal expressed in ethics, diet, monastic life, and lay practice.
Key beliefs
- Ahimsa or nonviolence
- Anekantavada or many-sidedness of truth
- Jiva and ajiva: soul and non-soul
- Karma as material bondage
- Liberation through the Three Jewels
Practices
- Vegetarianism or stricter dietary practices
- Meditation
- Fasting
- Confession and forgiveness rituals
- Temple worship
- Monastic vows and lay vows
Places of worship
- Jain temple
- Upashraya
- Sthanak in some traditions
Sacred texts
- Agamas in Shvetambara traditions
- Tattvartha Sutra
- Commentarial and philosophical works
Holidays and observances
- Paryushana
- Mahavir Janma Kalyanak
- Diwali in Jain tradition
- Ayambil Oli
Branches and related traditions
- Digambara - A major Jain branch with distinctive monastic discipline and scriptural history.
- Shvetambara - A major Jain branch with white-clad monastics and a preserved Agama canon.
- Sthanakavasi - A non-image-worshiping Shvetambara reform tradition.
- Terapanthi Jainism - A Shvetambara reform movement with centralized monastic leadership.