Jainism

Mahavira's spiritual path

Jainism is an ancient Indian religion emphasizing non-violence, self-discipline, and spiritual liberation.

Its practitioners, Jains, follow strict ethical codes including *ahimsa*—avoiding harm to all living beings—which leads many to vegetarianism and careful practices like sweeping paths to avoid stepping on insects.

Jainism teaches that the soul can escape the cycle of rebirth through right faith, knowledge, and conduct.

doctrine

ahimsa

Hindu principle of harmlessness

karmaSpiritual cause and effect
mokshaRelease from rebirth cycle
satyaSanskrit term for reality

papa

practice

fasting

Deliberate food avoidance

meditationFocused attention practice
tapasSpanish appetizer assortment
ahimsaHindu principle of harmlessness

vegetarianism · vow · renunciation · almsgiving · pilgrimage · worship · puja · confession · austerity · self-discipline

cosmology

nirvana

Release from cyclical existence

liberationRelease from constraint
rebirthSpiritual or physical regeneration
samsaraCycle of rebirth

transmigration · soul · heaven

monasticism

monk

Cloistered religious devotee

nunHebrew alphabet's fourteenth
mendicantOne who begs
sadhuHindu holy ascetic

muni · ordination · whisk · ascetic · wandering · detachment · chastity · abstinence · solitude

geography

India

South Asian republic

GujaratWestern Indian coastal state
RajasthanIndian state, northwestern desert region
MaharashtraWestern Indian state

Karnataka

community

laity

Non-ordained church members

sanghaBuddhist religious community
diasporaScattered population sharing origins
merchantOne who sells wares

trader · philanthropy · charitable · hospital · education · business

religions

Buddhism

Enlightenment-seeking Eastern religion

HinduismAncient Indian spiritual tradition
SikhismPunjabi monotheistic religion
heterodoxContrary to accepted doctrine

nontheistic · ancient

Jainism

ahimsa

fasting

nirvana

monk

India

laity

Buddhism

Jainism

Opposites

Categories

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