Jainism | |
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The Jain flag
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Abbreviation | Jain |
Scripture | Jain Agamas |
Other name(s) | Jain Dharma |
Jainism (/ˈdʒeɪnɪzəm/), traditionally known as Jain Dharma, is one of the most ancient Indian religions.
The three main principles of Jainism are ahimsa ('non-violence'), anekantavada ('non-absolutism'), and aparigraha ('non-attachment'); it is also characterized by asceticism. Followers of Jainism take five main vows: ahimsa ('non-violence'), satya ('truth'), asteya ('not stealing'), brahmacharya ('celibacy', 'chastity'), and aparigraha ('non-attachment'). These principles have impacted Jain culture in many ways, such as leading to a predominantly vegetarian lifestyle that avoids harm to animals and their life cycles. Parasparopagraho Jivanam ('the function of souls is to help one another') is the motto of Jainism. Namokar Mantra is the most common and basic prayer in Jainism.
Followers of Jainism are called "Jains", a word derived from the Sanskrit word jina ('victor') and connoting the path of victory in crossing over life's stream of rebirths through an ethical and spiritual life. Jains trace their history through a succession of twenty-four victorious saviors and teachers known as Tirthankaras, with the first being Rishabhanatha, who is believed to have lived millions of years ago, and twenty-fourth being the Mahavira around 500 BCE. Jains believe that Jainism is an eternal dharma with the Tirthankaras guiding every cycle of the Jain cosmology.