Jainism

Also called

Jain Dharma

Origin

India, with a line of 24 teachers called Tirthankaras; Mahavira (about the sixth century BCE) was the last.

Texts

The Agamas, the teachings of Mahavira collected by his disciples; the two main sects, Shvetambara and Digambara, differ on some texts.

Place of worship

A derasar (temple), upashraya (hall for monks); the Dilwara and Ranakpur temples are famous.

Main beliefs

• Ahimsa, non-violence, towards all living things, in thought, word and deed, is the highest principle.
• Truth, non-stealing, celibacy (or chastity) and non-possession, and anekantavada, the idea that truth has many sides.
• Each soul can free itself from karma by right faith, right knowledge and right conduct.

Practice

A strictly vegetarian diet (many avoid root vegetables), fasting, daily meditation and study, and respect for life in every action; monks and nuns take strict vows.

Holy days and festivals

Paryushan and Das Lakshana, Mahavir Jayanti, Diwali (the liberation of Mahavira) and Kartik Purnima.

Visiting a place of worship

Do not bring leather items or food into the temple; take off your shoes; some temples ask women not to enter during menstruation, a custom that varies.

A note

Jainism is a separate religion and is not a branch of Hinduism or Buddhism, though it shares ideas with both.

The other eleven faiths · Comparison table

Questions people ask

This is a short, neutral introduction written from widely agreed facts. Every faith has many traditions and its members may describe it differently; for a true account, ask a member of that faith. We state no figures and no dates of moveable festivals.