The aim of Jain life is to achieve liberation of the soul. The essence of Jainism is concern for the welfare of every being in the universe and for the health of the universe itself.

It is an Indian religion that emphasizes complete non-violence and asceticism. The name Jainism derives from the Sanskrit verb JI, “to conquer.” It refers to the ascetic battle that, it is believed, Jain renunciations (monks and nuns) must fight against the passions and bodily senses to gain enlightenment, or omniscience and purity of soul.

The most illustrious individuals who have achieved enlightenment are called Jina (literally,“Conqueror”), and the tradition’s monastic and lay adherents are called Jain (“Follower of the Conquerors”). Jinas are believed to reside in the top level of heaven, above the realm of the gods. Accordingly, liberated souls are revered more than the gods. Jainism incorporates the traditional Hindu concepts of karma and reincarnation, but rejects the Veda scriptures, castes and the idea of a creator god.

Jainism emerged in 6th-century BC India, the same time Buddhism was developing. The faith is named for the Jinas, spiritual conquerors who have achieved liberation and perfection. Included among these are the 24 spiritual leaders called "Ford-Makers" or Tirthankaras. The last of the Tirthankaras was Mahavira (599-527 BC), considered as the Founder of Jainism.

The goal of life in Jainism is to reach liberation by a life of purification, discipline, and nonviolence as taught by the Tirthankaras.

Crucial Ideology

• Philosophy of Soul and Karma: Every living being is a soul, existing in the world from infinite time, passing through the cycles of birth and death. It is bound by Karma (a fine form of matter) through its own action of passion - attachment and aversion. Soul itself is the master of its own fate, responsible for all its action - good or otherwise. Jainism does not accept creationism.
• Freedom from passion leading to Emancipation: Soul in the worldly existence undergoes suffering caused by Karma. It also possesses the potentiality of attaining Emancipation. First by getting rid of passions (such as anger, pride, deceit, and greed ) and attaining omniscience through right knowledge, right faith, right conduct and right penance one can finally get emancipated.
• Non-Violence (Ahimsä) and Non-possessiveness (Aparigraha): The practice of religion consist in the renunciation of two deadly sins of humanity - the aggressive urge and the possessive urge - through Non- violence and Non- possessiveness respectively. The basic principles leading to this two are -(1) all souls are equal to one’s own soul ; (2) limitless desires and possessions vitiate one’s attitude and behavior.
• Non-absolutism (Anekantvada): It asserts that infinite twin qualities of opposite nature such as, permanence and change, identity and difference exist in each and every substance. Therefore Truth is multifaceted. All statements contain relative truth. To comprehend the complete truth, one has to take into consideration the different aspects of a thing /even from different points of view.