Origin

Jains believe that their religion was established by the first Tirthankar or expounder of faith, named Rishab. Rishab is based in antiquity, but was followed by 23 other Tirthankaras, the last one being Mahavir. Mahavir was born in 599 BC in the present state of Bihar in eastern India. He lived for 72 years before attaining salvation or Nirvana. Mahavir revived an existing creed that had been handed down through a succession of previous Tirthankaras and gave it a firm philosophical footing.

Scripture

The Jain sacred texts are referred to as the Agamas. Originally, their message was passed down from generation to generation through an oral tradition, but they were committed to writing in the third century BC. An authoritative and comprehensive summary of the religion is found in Tattvartha Sutra, or in its English translation entitled That Which Is.

Beliefs

The essence of Jain belief is that the universe is eternal, and self-existent. The cosmic constituents are: jiva or animate, and ajiva or inanimate. The animate comprise an infinite number of souls, which go through endless cycles of bodily existence of all forms, until liberated. When liberated, the soul attains its true nature of eternal bliss and purity. The intrinsic properties of the soul are obscured through its association with karmic matter. Karmas arise from the various passionate states of the soul, such as anger, pride, deceit, greed, aversion, and attachment. The ultimate aim of the soul is to free itself of the karmic glue, so that it can attain its true nature. This the soul can do only through its own effort. The dual concept of oneness of life and self-reliance for achieving salvation is the foundation of Jain philosophy.

The cornerstones of the path to liberation are Ahimsa or non-violence, and Anekantwad or the doctrine of manifold aspects. The concept of non-violence is based on universal love that embraces all living forms. Vegetarianism is a natural outcome of this concept. Anekantwad recognises that reality is highly complex and pluralistic. Our view of reality is but one aspect of it, based on our own beliefs and experiences. There may exist other views and experiences that may be equally valid. Anekantwad leads to the avoidance of dogma and bigotry and fosters tolerance and a healthy spirit of sympathetic understanding.

Practice

The path one follows for the realization of the true nature of the soul embraces the tradition of five fold vows or the panch anuvrat. The first vow of Ahimsa or non-violence does not imply a mere passive abstention from injury to others, but a positive quality based on universal love, compassion, empathy and charity. The second vow Satya or truth is a resolution to avoid falsehood and deception. The third vow is Achaurya or the vow not to steal and not to accept anything that is not legitimately acquired. The fourth vow is Shila or chastity. The fifth vow is Parigrah Pariman or a self-imposed limit on possessions that helps free the seeker from avarice and greed.