Belief in brief: Jainism

No god created the universe. That’s according to the nearly five million followers of India’s Jainism who believe it’s always been here. Jainism is a millenia-old religion focused on ending the cycle of reincarnation through enlightenment, or pure karma, which if reached, elevates believers to a god with limitless perception, knowledge, power and happiness.

History

Jainism, which is closely related to Buddhism, began with a series of 23 teachers, or “Tirthankaras,” who over several centuries preached a strict lifestyle of self-denial. In the sixth century B.C., the 24th Tirthankara, Nataputta Mahavira, officially started a community of nuns and monks, which is considered the oldest monastic community in the world. While Mahavira is revered by his followers as sinless, he was known to have taught that obtaining enlightenment was the responsibility of the individual, so worshipping a god was unnecessary. His own enlightenment was reached after 13 years of living a strict, luxury-free life, including begging for food and refusing to sleep in the same place for more than one night.

Practices

Jains believe the soul is trapped in the cycle of reincarnation by karma. Karma, which is caused by the slightest action of the body or mind, prevents the end of the suffering of reincarnation. Obtaining enlightenment requires following the Three Jewels of right faith, right knowledge and right conduct. Jains require believers to adhere to strict self-discipline and nonviolence toward all living organisms. For some, mostly monks or nuns, this adherence to nonviolence includes wearing masks to prevent bugs from flying inside their mouths and dusting off seats before sitting to prevent any organisms from being harmed.

The religion split in the fifth century A.D. into two prominent sects, Digambara and Svetambara. The two share the Agamas, Jainism’s holy scripture, but they interpret the texts differently. The Svetambara believe nuns and monks should be allowed to wear robes, but Digambara believe monks ought to remain nude.

Sources: Encyclopedia Britannica; History Channel; Beliefnet.com;

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