Jainism and Jain Values

Jainism is one of the World’s oldest religions, followed by several million people in India and by a sizeable Jain diaspora in UK, USA and other overseas countries. Jain values are based on non-violence and reverence for all life (ahimsa), non-attachment to the material world (aparigraha), pluralism (anekantavad) and introspection, calmness of self and spiritual liberation by self-effort. It believes in friendship to all and malice to none, improvement of quality of life for all, compassion, equality, animal welfare, environment preservation and peace. Its moto is “Live and Help to Live”.

Jain way of life is:

• Art of Loving: to all living beings, whether they are human – irrespective of caste, creed, faith, colour, gender and disability; animal, plant and the living elements of the earth.
• Art of Living: to live a spiritually and physically healthy life, full of compassion, equality, peace, harmony and the best of the human values. The aim of human life is to achieve spiritual liberation so as to free the soul from the bondage (clouding) of karma – expand with practical activities and day to day life challenges/ ideas towards liberation of the soul.  education and training, cultural and spiritual activities, yoga, meditation and healthy living for the welfare of the local community.
• Art of Leaving: is to live a life detached from power, position and wealth. Jainism does not deny us earning power, position and wealth; all it asks us is to keep a limit on them and use these for welfare of others. It also encourages leaving them at the right time to lead a life for the progress towards spiritual liberation.