Jainism started in 7th century BC, in the eastern India. Those were times when there was an upheaval against the ritualism in Hinduism and there was a need for a reform. The knowledge of religion was dominated by a few and others were excluded from religious rituals, except for following dictates of the clergy. This was resented. A new thinking brought about Jainism and Buddhism.

Jains place faith in twenty three wise men, called Tirthankaras. The last two Tirthankaras, Parshvanatha and Mahavira, are credited with evolving Jainism as a community.

Mahavira a Kshatriya (Soldier social order, in the class system of Hinduism, one is born into a cast like Priests, Warriors, Traders and that of agriculture or other basic persuasions). He gave up the worldly life to search for the Divine Truth. After 13 years of self-restraint and seclusion, he found that desire was the root cause of worldly Karma. Based on this principle, he along with his eleven disciples founded Jainism.

The Jain community has two sects, the Swetambaras and the Digambaras. The Monks of the Swetambaras wear white and both male and female members can be Monks. Digambara Monks renounce even clothes and female members are excluded form being a Nun.

Jains believe that what exists in the universe is unending, it was never created nor can it be destroyed. The universe has three dominions, the heavens, the earthly world and the hell. These realms have different levels for people to attain according to their work and spirituality. What is interesting is that the hell is cold. The worse the sin, colder it is in the hell!

While the Creator, the Protector and the Destroyer concept has no place due to the “Never created and always existing” concept, there are numerous deities who are worshipped for assistance in worldly life. The place of existence of these deities is the highest level of the heavens. The foremost among these is an entity who Jains believe to be the perfect universal presence. A prominent deity among these is Ambika, who looks after material prosperity, childbirth and women in general. It is the aim of Jains to attain the Perfect Existence or divinity.

According to Jainism the soul is eternal and all powerful and so has the prospects of being divine. By letting go of bad Karma that blocks this, it is possible to realize Moksha (Liberation from cycle of life and death). The very purpose of life is to attain Moksha. Jainism prescribes a five level of approach to attain Moksha.

1. By being Sadhus (Monks) or Sadhvis (Nuns)
2. Upadhyayas (Educators of Jain teachings)
3. Acharyas (Religious leaders)
4. Siddhas (Liberated souls)
5. Arihantas (Those who have attained salvation. Arihanta means destroyer of evil, evil referred to is desire. Arihanta is a person who has no desire.)

The man on the street is a layman. By study and implementation of the scriptures they attain these five levels.

Mahavira taught five principles of living to attain Moksha or liberation of people from the cycle of life and death.

1. Ahimsa – Non violence.
2. Satya - Truth
3. Asteya – Taking something that is given and not stealing.
4. Aparigraha – Non-Possessiveness.
5. Brahmacharya – Chastity and abstinence.

The concept of non-violence being very important, use of any object that can be used as a weapon is avoided. Only a vegetarian diet is taken, and that too by Jains who are householders, Monks and Nuns eat fruits, nuts and milk only. A white cloth covers their mouth to avoid small insects entering their mouth and getting killed. All of these shave their heads, some of them avoid the blade, and hair is literally plucked from their bodies.

They speak very little; in keeping with the saying “Truth is Truth, nothing else, while a lie need a lot of support”, and when they speak it is the truth.

Monks have no desire. No family. No possession. No place to stay. No cloths to wear except a white cloth. In the case of Digambars, not even that. They can not live in one place. Walk from place to place barefoot. Beg for food and eat out of their bare hands. Renunciation is the path.

This is a unique religion worth studying for our benefit and knowledge.