Beliefs
Jainism is a religion of Indian origin that focuses on the connections between living things. Jainism has three main principles. In addition there are five vows all Jains must uphold.
Non-Violence (ahimsa)
Non-Violence (ahimsa)
- defined as intentional or unintentional harm (whether or not it is intentional only changes the severity)
- extends to all living things, although some are less important priorities
- plants and animals can't be harmed for food. This means no meat or animal products and no vegetables or fruits whose harvesting would kill the plant such as root vegetables
- special care is taken while farming not to hurt parasites or other small animals
- a special cloth may be worn over the mouth to prevent accidental consumption of insects
- harsh words are considered a form of violence
- violence is only permitted in self defense
- reality and truth are relative to the viewpoint
- no single viewpoint is true: The story of the blind men and the elephant illustrates this principle by showing how all of the blind men felt only part of the elephant and identified it differently yet none of them were wrong
- other religions should be tolerated as from their perspective, they are correct
- take only what is necessary
- objects can be owned but you shouldn’t become attached to them
- wealth should be shared or donated
- non-violence
- honesty
- Not to take anything from others
- refrain from sexual activity
- be detached from material places, people, and things