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
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]- 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
[edit | edit source]- Vegetarianism or stricter dietary practices
- Meditation
- Fasting
- Confession and forgiveness rituals
- Temple worship
- Monastic vows and lay vows
Places of worship
[edit | edit source]- Jain temple
- Upashraya
- Sthanak in some traditions
Sacred texts
[edit | edit source]- Agamas in Shvetambara traditions
- Tattvartha Sutra
- Commentarial and philosophical works
Holidays and observances
[edit | edit source]- Paryushana
- Mahavir Janma Kalyanak
- Diwali in Jain tradition
- Ayambil Oli
Branches and related traditions
[edit | edit source]- 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.