A Jainism Primer

 

Jainism is an ancient religion from India that teaches that the way to liberation of the soul and bliss is to live a life of harmlessness and renunciation.

The essence of Jainism is concern for the welfare of every being in the universe and for the health of the universe itself.

Jains believe in reincarnation and seek to attain ultimate liberation, which means escaping the continuous cycle of birth, death and rebirth so that the immortal soul lives forever in a state of bliss.

Jains believe that animals and plants, as well as human beings, contain living souls. Each soul is considered of equal value and should be treated with respect and compassion.

Jains are strict vegetarians and live in a way that minimizes their use of the world's resources.

Jainism is a religion of self-help. There are no gods or spiritual beings that will help humans.

Jainism has no priests. Its professional religious people are monks and nuns, who lead strict and ascetic lives.

The supreme principle of Jain living is nonviolence. It's one of the five mahavratas, or great vows. The others: nonattachment to possessions, not lying, not stealing and sexual restraint (with celibacy as the ideal).

There are reported to be around 4.2 million Jains worldwide, most of them in India.

SOURCES: BBC, Star-Telegram