Jainism << JY nihz uhm >> is a religion of India. It is based on the belief that every living thing consists of an eternal soul called the jiva and a temporary physical body. The eternal jiva is imprisoned in the body as a result of involvement in worldly activities. To free the jiva, one must avoid such activities as much as possible. Each jiva is reincarnated in many bodies before it is finally freed. After being freed, it exists eternally in a state of perfect knowledge and bliss.
Jain sadhus (holy men) and sadhvis (holy women) represent the ideal of Jainism. These men and women try to separate themselves from the everyday world. They are not allowed to kill any living creature. They may not own any property except a broom, simple robes, bowls for food, and walking sticks. They may not live in buildings except for brief periods, and they must beg for all their food. The highest goal for sadhus and sadhvis is to set their own soul free. It may motivate them to cease all bodily activity and die of starvation, but this rarely happens.
Other followers of Jainism are the laity (people who are not sadhus or sadhvis). The laity support the sadhus and sadhvis and obey less strict rules of conduct. Most of the laity engage in business activities because such occupations do not directly involve killing any living thing. They look forward to becoming sadhus or sadhvis themselves in a future life.
A teacher called Mahavira, which means The Great Hero, was the main organizer of the religion. Mahavira was born in the 500’s B.C. The Jains believe that he was the 24th in a line of teachers of Jain principles. The Jains honor these teachers and other holy persons, but they do not consider them to be gods. The Jains also do not believe in a supreme God.
See also India (Religion) ; Karma ; Mahavira .
