Meet the Jains: A World of Kindness and Care

Imagine you believe so strongly in kindness that you try never to hurt any living thing — not an ant, not a plant, not even tiny creatures in water. How would that change your day? Think about what you might eat, how you might walk, and what jobs you might choose. Hold that thought — because some people really do live this way.

Jainism is one of the world's oldest religions. It began in the region we now call India more than 2,500 years ago. Today, around 4–6 million people follow Jainism. Most Jains live in India, but Jain communities exist all over the world. The word 'Jain' comes from the word 'Jina', which means a person who has conquered — or defeated — their own desires and fears. Jains follow the teachings of 24 great teachers called Tirthankaras. The most recent Tirthankara was a man named Mahavira, who lived around 599–527 BCE. He is the most important figure in Jainism today. Three core beliefs sit at the heart of Jainism: 1. Ahimsa — non-violence. This is the most important belief. Ahimsa means never harming any living being, whether human, animal, insect, or plant. Because of ahimsa, most Jains are vegetarian. Some are vegan. Jain monks and nuns take ahimsa even further — they may wear a cloth over their mouth to avoid breathing in tiny insects. 2. Satya — truthfulness. Jains try always to speak the truth. 3. Aparigraha — non-attachment. This means not being greedy or clinging to too many possessions. Jains try to live simply and share with others. Jains do not believe in a creator god who made the universe. Instead, they believe the universe has always existed. Jains aim to free their soul from a force called karma — the weight of actions that keeps a soul tied to the cycle of birth and rebirth. By living non-violently, truthfully, and simply, a Jain hopes their soul will eventually reach a state of perfect peace called moksha. Jain places of worship are called temples. They are often beautifully decorated with carvings of the Tirthankaras.