Discover the Path of Jainism

The fundamental and supreme principle of Jainism is **Ahimsa** (Non-Violence), which is defined as non-injury and non-harm to all living beings in thought, word, and deed. This principle extends to every aspect of a Jain's life, including diet, conduct, and occupation, driving the emphasis on compassion and respect for all life forms.

While **Rishabhanatha** (also known as **Adinath**) is revered as the first of the 24 Tirthankaras and the pioneer of the spiritual path in this current time cycle, **Bhagwan Mahavira** is recognized as the 24th and last Tirthankara, who revitalized and organized the existing Jain philosophy around 600 BCE, making him the most significant figure historically and doctrinally in the modern era.

The **Three Jewels (Triratna)** of Jainism form the path to spiritual liberation (Moksha). They are: 1) **Samyak Darshan** (Right Faith/Belief), 2) **Samyak Gyan** (Right Knowledge), and 3) **Samyak Charitra** (Right Conduct). Practicing these three perfectly leads the soul out of the cycle of birth and death (Samsara).

**Anekantavada** is the Jain doctrine of **"non-one-sidedness"** or **"many-sided reality."** It states that reality is complex and possesses multiple aspects. No single perspective (even one's own) is the complete truth, and we should be tolerant and open to others' viewpoints. This philosophical principle is foundational to Jain non-violence and pluralism.

Jainism defines **Karma** as subtle, invisible particles of matter that cling to the soul based on its actions (thought, speech, and physical acts). These karma particles determine the soul's future destiny, bondage, and experiences. Liberation (**Moksha**) is achieved by stopping the influx of new karma and destroying the already accumulated karma through spiritual practice (Right Conduct).

Major Jain pilgrimage sites, known as **Teerths**, are primarily located in **India**. The most sacred include: **Sammed Shikharji** (Jharkhand), where 20 Tirthankaras attained Moksha; **Palitana** (Gujarat), famous for the Shatrunjaya hill temples; **Girnarji** (Gujarat), the Moksha sthal of Neminatha; and **Dilwara Temples** (Rajasthan), renowned for their marble architecture.

**Paryushan Parva** is the most significant annual Jain festival, focusing on **spiritual introspection, penance, and purification**. The Digambara tradition observes it for ten days (**Das Lakshana Dharma**), while the Svetambara tradition observes it for eight days. It culminates with **Kshama Yachana** (seeking forgiveness from all living beings).

The Jain hand symbol represents the vow of **Ahimsa** (non-violence). The wheel in the center of the palm signifies the cycle of Samsara, and the word **'Ahimsa'** written across the palm serves as a sacred reminder to stop the passions that lead to the accumulation of destructive karma.

The ultimate goal in Jainism is to achieve **Moksha** or **Nirvana**, which is the state of total spiritual liberation. This means freeing the soul (Jiva) from all karmic bondage, leading to a state of infinite knowledge, infinite perception, infinite bliss, and infinite power, residing eternally in the top of the universe (**Siddhashila**).

No. Jainism is a non-theistic religion that rejects the concept of a single, omnipotent creator God. Jains believe the universe is eternal, beginningless, and endless, governed by universal laws. God (or the Divine) is understood as the perfected state of the soul (**Siddha** or **Arihant**), not a creator entity.