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Jainism in India

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Jain Dharma, is a dharmic religion and philosophy originating in Ancient India. The Jains follow the teachings of Tirthankaras. The 24th Tirthankara Lord Mahavira lived in ca. 6th century BC. Jainism stresses spiritual independence and equality of all life with particular emphasis on non-violence. Self-control (vratae) is vital for attaining Keval Gnan and eventually moksha, or realization of the soul's true nature.

Jain Beliefs and Practices

Jain monks practice strict asceticism and strive to make this, or one of the coming births, their last. The laity, who pursue less rigorous practices, strive to attain rational faith and to do as much good as possible.

The Jain ethical code is taken very seriously. Five vows are followed by both laity and monks/nuns. These are:

Ahimsa (Non-violence), Satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (Chastity), Aparigraha (Non-possession or Non-possessiveness), For laypersons, 'chastity' means confining sexual experiences to marriage. For monks/nuns, it means complete celibacy.

Nonviolence includes being vegetarian, and some choose to be vegan. Jains are expected to be non-violent in thought, word and deed, both toward humans and toward every other possible living creature, including even themselves. It is for this reason that a truly orthodox Jain will never cut even one hair anywhere on his own body, and would never dream of giving anyone else a haircut. Jain monks walk barefoot and sweep the ground in front of them to avoid killing any insect.

Even though all life is considered sacred by the Jains, human life is deemed by them to be the highest form of life. It is for this reason that it is considered vital never to harm or even to upset any person.

While performing holy deeds, Svetambar Jains wear cloths (Muhapatti) over their mouths and noses to avoid saliva falling on texts or revered images. Some even go so far as to wear either the Muhapatti or possibly a small card over their mouths so as to avoid accidentally inhaling even a single insect when awake. This last practice is only observed by some extreme practioners. True Jainism, according to some Digambar Jains, are those who have attained samyak darshan (self realisation) ie experience of being one with the soul rather than with the body). They are said to be on the correct path to moksha which is striving to remain in the nature of the soul ie detached internally from worldly life.