Big Ideas/Overview
Jainism, originated in India, is an ancient religion that practices a very quiet, simple, and excruciatingly serious way of life. Jains live by the 5 Great Vows, which outline the principles that any devoted Jain should practice.
The core value in Jainism is non-violence. A religious Jain does anything in their power to not harm any living thing; However, this may prove harder than it sounds due to the fact that Jains consider everything in the Universe to be living. Everything from trees to air to rocks is living, according to Jainism. This religion encourages vegetarianism so that animals are not harmed for their meat. Ascetic Jains generally walk around completely naked, and many others wear a simple white cloth and nothing else. Many people usually wear a mask over their nose and mouth to avoid inhaling small insects or microbes.
Another core belief of Jains is the idea that the Universe is eternal. It was never created and it will never be destroyed; it is a continuous cycle of life that never dies, but instead continues to take different forms for eternity. Jainism is an ecologically responsible way of life which is nonviolent in every aspect, and practices simplicity and solemnity.
The core value in Jainism is non-violence. A religious Jain does anything in their power to not harm any living thing; However, this may prove harder than it sounds due to the fact that Jains consider everything in the Universe to be living. Everything from trees to air to rocks is living, according to Jainism. This religion encourages vegetarianism so that animals are not harmed for their meat. Ascetic Jains generally walk around completely naked, and many others wear a simple white cloth and nothing else. Many people usually wear a mask over their nose and mouth to avoid inhaling small insects or microbes.
Another core belief of Jains is the idea that the Universe is eternal. It was never created and it will never be destroyed; it is a continuous cycle of life that never dies, but instead continues to take different forms for eternity. Jainism is an ecologically responsible way of life which is nonviolent in every aspect, and practices simplicity and solemnity.