Jainism

Lord Mahavira, who established Jainism, was born in what is now Bihar, India, approximately in 599 BCE.
Mahavira is regarded as the 24th Tirthankara (spiritual teacher).

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Ahimsa (non-violence) – emphasises the non-harming of any living being.
Satya (truth) – It advocates truthfulness in all aspects of life.
Aparigraha (non-possessiveness) – Jains are advised to have few goods and engage in practices that help them become detached from worldly things.

The concept of karma, which holds that every action has repercussions and affects one’s subsequent life, is emphasised in Jainism. To achieve liberation (moksha) from the cycle of birth and death (samsara), the soul must be purified of accumulated karma by good deeds.
Every living being has a soul. It only varies in degrees of Consciousness.
Relativity of truth – Everything that we see and hear around are partial truths of the ultimate reality.
In Jainism, revered spiritual masters known as Tirthankaras are those who have gained enlightenment and broken free from the cycle of birth and death.
Jainism’s sacred texts are called Agamas.
There are two main sects of Jainism: Digambara (sky-clad) and Shvetambara (white-clad).
While the Digambaras usually practise nudity, the Shvetambaras wear white attire and believe that nuns and monks can wear clothes.

Digambaras
- Digambara means sky clad.
- The group is a representation of the Jainas who moved to the South under Bhadrabahu’s leadership.
- Digambaras emphasized the importance of nudism as a necessary condition for achieving salvation.
- Extreme penance is required for the salvation.
- Women are not capable to achieve salvation hence there are no females in the sect.
Shvetambaras
- Shvetambara means white-clad.
- The sect represents the Jainas who remained in Magadha under the guidance of Sthulabahu during the great famine.
- Practice of nudity is not essential to attain liberation.
- Females are also capable of attaining salvation.