Jain

Jainism is an ancient Indian religion prescribing a path of non-violence for all forms of living beings in this world. Its philosophy and practice relies mainly on self effort to progress one's soul on the spiritual ladder to God consciousness. Any soul that has conquered its inner enemies and achieved the state of supreme being is called jina (Conqueror or Victor). Jainism is the path to achieve this state. Jainism is commonly referred to as Jain Dharma or Shraman Dharma or the religion of Nirgantha by ancient texts.

Jainism was revived by a lineage of 24 enlightened ascetics known as tirthankaras culminating with Parsva (9th century BCE) and Mahavira (6th century BCE). In the modern world, it is a small but very influential religious minority with as many as 4 million followers in India, and successful growing immigrant communities in North America, Western Europe, the Far East, Australia and other countries. Jains have sustained the ancient Shraman or ascetic religion and have significantly influenced other religious, ethical, political and economic spheres lying in India.
Jains have an tradition of scholarship and have the highest degree of literacy in all of India. Jain libraries are the oldest libraries in the country.

Beliefs

Jainism differs from different religions in its concept of God. Jainism regards all living souls as potentially divine. When the soul sheds its karmic bonds completely, it then attains God-consciousness. It prescribes a path of non-violence to progress the soul to achieve this ultimate goal.
A Jain is a follower of the Jinas ("conquerors"). Jinas are spiritually advanced human beings that rediscover the dharma, become fully liberated and teach the spiritual path for the benefit of all living beings. Practicing Jains follow the teachings of 24 special jinas who are known as the Tirthankaras "('ford-makers", or "those who have discovered and shown the way to salvation"). Tradition states that the 24th, (most recent), Tirthankar is Shri Mahavir, who lived from 527 to 599 BC.
The main Jain prayer (Namokar Mantra) therefore salutes the five categories of souls that have attained God-consciousness or are on their way to achieving it, to emulate and to follow these paths to salvation.
There are five basic ethical principles (vows) that are prescribed. The degree to which these principles must be practiced is varies for renunciant and householder. Thus:

• Non-violence (Ahimsa) – to cause no harm to living beings.
• Truth (Satya) – to always speak the truth in a harmless manner.
• Non-stealing (Asteya) – to not take anything that is not willingly given.
• Celibacy (Brahmacarya) – to not indulge in sensual pleasures.
• Non-possession (Aparigraha) – to detach from people, places, and material things.