To finish our trilogy of ancient eastern religions, this week we are going to learn about Jainism. Not as well-known or popular as Hinduism or Buddhism, Jainism has between 4 and 5 million followers (compared to Hinduism’s 1.25 billion). The true beginning of Jainism is unknown, but it most likely took root in the Indus Valley alongside Hinduism nearly 1000 years BCE. They follow a very strict code of conduct, with one of its major tenants being AHIMSA meaning non-violence, non-injury and an absence of desire to harm any life forms. Vegetarianism and other nonviolent practices and rituals of Jains arise from this principle. Typically, we think of Violence is as associated with causing harm to others. But according to the Jain philosophy violence refers also to injuring one’s own self – behavior which inhibits the soul’s own ability to attain moksha or liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth. The Jains extend the concept of ahimsa not only to humans but to all animals, plants, micro-organisms and all beings having life or life potential. This led to developments of germ theory, medicines, public health, and the scientific understanding of the existence of bacteria and viruses. 

The idea life that exists outside of human perception began with Jainism.