The distinguishing feature of Jain philosophy is its belief in the independent existence of the soul and matter, the denial of a creative and almighty God combined with a belief in an eternal universe, and a strong emphasis on nonviolence, morality, and ethics. The word Jain is derived from the Sanskrit word Jina and means conqueror, and the ultimate goal of Jain life is to attain the release of the soul. Karma is a concept that is associated with rebirth, the idea that death is the start of a new existence. In Jainism, like the Buddha, there is a belief that reincarnation leads to liberation.
Jainism starts with a serious concern for the human soul and its relation to the laws of existence of the universe and other living beings as well as its own future state in eternity. Jains believe that all things have a life, and this includes stones, sand, trees, and other things. As a religion with an emphasis on nonviolence, Jainism has this as its main core. Jains believe that every animal, every plant and every human contains a living soul. This soul is considered equal and should be treated with respect and compassion.
Karma is the sum of a person’s actions in previous lives, and it determines his destiny in a future existence. Gods and other superhuman beings are subject to karma as well as rebirths for humans. Through their actions, people accumulate karma, which is understood as a kind of matter, and this karma is pulled out of their bodies after death. When the last karma particles are exhausted, the association between soul and matter dissolves, and the soul reaches infinite faith, knowledge, bliss, and power. The soul transcends the cycle of earthly existence (samsara) and goes to a place and state called Siddhashila where jivas (identical to other pure jivas) experience their own true nature in eternal stillness, isolation and non-participation and dwell in eternal bliss.
From the beginning, Jainism was based on the concept of non-violence (ahimsa). Jains believe that all living things, no matter how small, have a soul and should not be damaged. This means that they believe that all living beings die with the soul and are born without a body. Believe this when you see a religious Jain in front of him sweeping the ground to avoid falling on an insect or wearing a mask or cloth to avoid swallowing insects.
Jainism is an ancient world religion with a history of over 3,000 years, originating in Hinduism and Buddhism on the Indian subcontinent. Jains believe that reincarnation is karma and that right thought and right action liberate the soul to attain Moksha (Nirvana). They believe in the cycle of evolution, and there are twenty-four Tirthankaras (join saints) who appear in cycles to serve as guides to worshipers hoping to find liberation from this cycle.
Jainism is one of the three oldest religions in India, whose roots go back at least to the middle of the first century BC. It teaches a path of enlightenment and non-violence and reduces the harm to all living beings, including plants and animals, as much as possible. While Jainism has some similarities to Hinduism and Buddhism, it is very different from these religions and has its own unique distinguishing features.
Jains are strict vegetarians and live in a way that minimizes their use of world resources. The three principle guiding principles of Jainism are the three jewels of right faith, right knowledge, and the right leadership. Jains believe that all plants, animals, and non-living things (air, water, and soul) are human.
Karma, as in other Indian religions, means a universal cause-effect law in Jainism. Karma is believed to obscure or hinder the innate nature of the aspiring soul and its spiritual potential for the next rebirth. It is considered a material substance or subtle matter that binds the soul, travels with it, binds forms of rebirth, and influences the suffering and happiness experienced by the Jiva Lokas.
Jainism, one of the three main religions of early India, was practiced in the middle of the first millennium BC. Its name is derived from the word Jina, which means “liberator” or “victor,” and refers to spiritual or material conquest. Like Buddhists and Hindus, the Jains believe that the cycle of birth and rebirth is influenced by the effects of individual actions and attitudes, a concept known as karma.
Jain monks and laymen follow varying degrees the same five-fold path of nonviolence (ahinsa, ahimsa, truth, Satya, not stealing, asteya, chastity and brahmacharya), non-possession (non-present), and aparigraha. Jain Dharma teaches that each living being is an individual and has an eternal soul and is responsible for its own actions. The perfection of the individual is achieved by practicing an ascetic life without divine help.
Because of its non-theistic religion, Jainism does not advocate belief in a creator god or higher beings (gods or mortals) but rather the concept of karma which guides the present life and future incarnations of higher beings and gods (mortal forces) so that a person does not have to seek guidance or help to free himself from karmic bondage. They believe that every action of the mind, language, and body produces subtle karma, in which infra-atomic particles of matter become the cause of bondage, and that violence should be avoided and avoided in this life. The cause or embodiment of the soul is regarded as “karmic matter” and in order to achieve salvation (moksha), one must rid the soul of karma by practicing the three jewels of right faith, right knowledge, and right guidance.
In Jainism, suffering is caused by ignorance of the true nature and reality, and liberation is achieved through spiritual awakening and living in the truth one realizes. One must abide by the discipline in order to escape from the cycle of samsara in order to attain liberation. To achieve this one must become a Tirthankara or Fort builder, one who builds ford bridges over rivers to show others how to cross the currents of life, abandon the desire to free oneself from ignorance, and resist the temptations of the world.