Jainism

Jainism is an ancient Indian religion centered on nonviolence, self-discipline, and the liberation of the soul from the cycle of rebirth. It teaches that every living being has a soul and should be treated with care, which is why ahimsa (nonviolence) is its guiding principle. Jains follow the teachings of the Tirthankaras, enlightened teachers who are said to have shown the path to liberation. The tradition is known for its rigorous ethical commitments and its emphasis on personal spiritual effort.

Jain scripture includes the Agamas, a body of canonical texts traditionally believed to preserve the teachings of Mahavira, along with many later philosophical and devotional works. A widely respected text is the Tattvartha Sutra, valued across Jain traditions as a concise summary of Jain philosophy and ethics. The Digambara and Svetambara branches differ in which canonical texts they accept, reflecting the tradition's internal diversity. These texts can be read in the U-God library.

Ahimsa, or nonviolence, is the central ethical principle of Jainism and shapes nearly every aspect of Jain life. Jains understand it as the intention to avoid harming any living being in thought, word, or action, and it extends to even the smallest forms of life. In practice this leads most Jains to follow a vegetarian diet and to avoid occupations and activities that cause harm. Jain monks and nuns observe especially strict forms of ahimsa in their daily conduct.

Mahavira is revered in Jainism as the twenty-fourth and most recent Tirthankara, a spiritual teacher who attained liberation and taught the path to it. He is traditionally dated to around the sixth or fifth century BCE and is often regarded as a contemporary of the Buddha. Jains believe he was not the founder of a new religion but a reformer and teacher who reaffirmed the eternal Jain path taught by earlier Tirthankaras. His teachings on nonviolence, truth, and self-discipline are foundational to Jain practice.

Digambara and Svetambara are the two main branches of Jainism, and they differ on several matters of practice, monastic discipline, and scripture. One well known difference concerns monks: Digambara tradition holds that its most advanced monks renounce clothing entirely, while Svetambara monks and nuns wear simple white garments. The two branches also accept somewhat different sets of canonical texts and hold differing views on certain doctrinal points. Despite these differences, both share the core Jain commitments to nonviolence, self-discipline, and liberation of the soul.