Jainism is an ancient Indian religion that teaches that the way to liberation and bliss is to live a life of harmlessness and non-violence. Jains believe that all living beings are interconnected and that we should avoid harming any living thing, including insects. They also believe in reincarnation and karma, and that our actions in this life will affect our next life.
Tenets of Jainism
The five main tenets of Jainism are:
- Ahimsa: Non-violence
- Satya: Truthfulness
- Asteya: Non-stealing
- Brahmacharya: Celibacy
- Aparigraha: Non-possession
Ahimsa
Ahimsa is the principle of non-violence. Jains believe that all living beings are interconnected and that we should avoid harming any living thing, including insects. They believe that violence against any living being creates negative karma, which will lead to suffering in future lives.
Satya
Satya is the principle of truthfulness. Jains believe that it is important to be honest and truthful in all of our dealings. They believe that lying and deceit create negative karma, which will lead to suffering in future lives.
Asteya
Asteya is the principle of non-stealing. Jains believe that it is wrong to take anything that does not belong to us. They believe that stealing creates negative karma, which will lead to suffering in future lives.
Brahmacharya
Brahmacharya is the principle of celibacy. Jains believe that it is important to control our sexual desires. They believe that sexual activity creates negative karma, which will lead to suffering in future lives.
Aparigraha
Aparigraha is the principle of non-possession. Jains believe that we should avoid attachment to material possessions. They believe that attachment to possessions creates negative karma, which will lead to suffering in future lives.
Jainism and Non-Violence
Jainism is a religion that is based on the principle of non-violence. Jains believe that all living beings are interconnected and that we should avoid harming any living thing, including insects. They believe that violence against any living being creates negative karma, which will lead to suffering in future lives.
Jains have a long history of non-violence. In the 6th century BCE, Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, preached ahimsa, or non-violence, as the highest principle of life. He taught that all living beings are equal and that we should avoid harming any living thing, even insects.
Jains have also been at the forefront of the movement for animal rights. In the 19th century, Jain leader Virchand Gandhi founded the Gujarati Vegetarian Society, which was one of the first vegetarian societies in India. Gandhi also campaigned against animal sacrifice and the use of animals in circuses.
Jainism and Reincarnation
Jains believe in reincarnation, or the transmigration of souls. They believe that after we die, our soul will be reborn into a new body. The type of body we are reborn into will depend on our karma, or our actions in this life.
If we have lived a good life, we will be reborn into a higher life form. If we have lived a bad life, we will be reborn into a lower life form. The goal of Jainism is to achieve moksha, or liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
Jainism and Karma
Jains believe in karma, or the law of cause and effect. They believe that our actions in this life will affect our next life. If we do good deeds, we will be reborn into a higher life form. If we do bad deeds, we will be reborn into a lower life form.
The goal of Jainism is to achieve moksha, or liberation from the cycle of rebirth. We can achieve moksha by living a life of non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, and non-possession.
Conclusion
Jainism is a religion that is based on the principles of non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, and non-possession. Jains believe that all living beings are interconnected and that we should avoid harming any living thing. They believe that violence against any living being creates negative karma, which will lead to suffering in future lives.
Jainism has a long history of non-violence and has been at the forefront of the movement for animal rights. Jains believe in reincarnation and karma, and that the goal of life is to achieve moksha, or liberation from the cycle of rebirth.