Buddhism
Catholic
Contemplative
Evangelical
General Christian
Hindu
Jewish
Latter-day Saint
Muslim
New Visions
Progressive Christian
Beliefs
Buddhism
Catholic
Contemplative
Evangelical
General Christian
Hindu
Jewish
Latter-day Saint
More Voices
Muslim
New Visions
Pagan
Progressive Christian
Topics
Religion News
Food and Religion
Sports and Religion
Religious Arts Music and Entertainment
Religious Events
History and Religion
Style and Religion
Politics and Religion
Women in Religion
Recreation Outdoors and Religion
Business Finance and Religion
Careers Workplace and Religion
Education and Religion
Family Parenting and Religion
Health Fitness and Religion
Home and Religion
Relationships and Religion
Technology and Religion
Travel and Religion
Columnists
Buddhist Columnists
Catholic Columnists
Contemplative Columnists
Evangelists Columnists
General Christian Columnists
Hindu Columnists
Jewish Columnists
Latter Day Columnists
Muslim Columnists
New Visions Columnists
Nonreligious Columnists
Pagan Columnists
Progressive Columnists
More Voices Columnists
Resource Library
Library of World Religions
Patheos Answers
Faith Leaders Database
Anglican Episcopalian
Bahai
Baptist
Buddhism
Christianity
Confucianism
Eastern Orthodoxy
Hinduism
Holiness and Pentecostal
ISKCON
Islam
Judaism
Lutheran
Methodist
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
New Age
Paganism
Presbytarian and Reformed
Protestantism
Roman Catholic
Scientology
Shia Islam
Sikhism
Sufism
Sunni Islam
Taoism
Zen
See all religions
Research Tools
Comparison Lens
Preacher Resources
Teacher Resources
Video
Podcasts
Thought Readers
E-Books and Other Special Offers
Books of the Bible Study series
History of the Bible
7 Day Prayer Challenge for Spouses
A Different Kind of Christian
Jesus is Love
Prayer Devotional
The Saints We Love
FaithChatter Conversation Cards
Newsletters
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In
Subscription Support
RELIGION LIBRARY
Jainism
Toggle navigation
Overview
Origins
History
Beliefs
Rituals and Worship
Ethics and Community
Early Developments
The life of Mahavir, the most recent of twenty-four tirthankaras or jinas, is traditionally located between 599 and 527 B.C.E. in northern India and marks the historical beginning of the tradition. By 310 B.C.E., two distinct sects had emerged.
Schisms and Sects
Two primary sects, the Digambara (sky clad), and Svetembara (white clad), have held differing positions on the nature of attachment and violence, and have composed their own scriptures from the time of their split in the 4th century B.C.E.
Missions and Expansion
Jainism is not a missionary tradition. From its beginnings in northern India the tradition spread to what is now Karnataka in the south of India in the 4th century B.C.E. More recently the development of a Jain diaspora has entailed various adaptations.
Exploration and Conquest
The principle of non-violence entails that Jainism has been a religion of neither conquest nor exploration. Jains, however, have been persecuted by those around them. In particular, the Digambar sect's nudity has not always been properly understood nor well received.
Modern Age
There are now approximately eight million Jains worldwide, mostly in India. A concern over political identity in relation to the Hindu majority has spurred a bid for Minority Status with the Supreme Court. The growing Jain diaspora reveals various adaptations in practice and philosophy.
Origins
Beliefs
Back to religion Library
editors picks
View All Columns
Evangelical
Before You Unplug or Sign Out for Good
Guest Contributor
Evangelical
What Is the Purpose of Spiritual Gifts, and How Do You Discover Yours?
Randy Alcorn
New Visions
5 Ways to Hear What God is Telling You
Tom Rapsas
Muslim
How Awake Are We? When Waking Up is Falling Asleep
Daniel Thomas Dyer
Latter-day Saint
"The Church supports the use of vaccinations"
Dan Peterson
Evangelical
Luther and the Beauty of Christ
Guest Contributor
Entertainment
The Soul of Gospel Music Explored in New Netflix Series "Voices of Fire"
DeWayne Hamby
Contemplative
Seven Ways to Think About Christian Mysticism
Carl McColman
Evangelical
Cancelling Alice Walker?
Philip Jenkins
Evangelical
Does God Have His Own Logic?
Roger E. Olson
Patheos
Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.
Close Ad
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In