Jainism

Jainism ( /ˈdʒeɪnɪzəm/) is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul toward divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state of supreme being is called a jin ("conqueror" or "victor"). The ultimate status of these perfect souls is called siddha. Ancient texts also refer to Jainism as shraman dharma (self-reliant) or the "path of the nirganthas" (those without attachments or aversions).

Jain doctrine teaches that Jainism has always existed and will always exist. Like most ancient Indian religions, Jainism may have its roots in the Indus Valley Civilization, reflecting native spirituality prior to the Indo-Aryan migration into India. Other scholars suggested the shramana traditions were separate and contemporaneous with Indo-Aryan religious practices of the historical Vedic religion. Several historians date the foundation of the present form of Jainism to sometime between the 9th and the 7th century BCE.

Contemporary Jainism is a religious minority with 4.2 million followers in India and immigrant communities in Belgium, United States, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore etc. Jains have the highest degree of literacy for a religious community in India. Several Jain libraries are the oldest in the country.