The Basis and Truth of the Jainism Religion

Spirituality

Jainism teaches that you are the master of your own fate. You are the fountainhead of boundless energy. It is you and only you who is responsible for each of your actions and its results. Use the energy of your own soul to get yourself free from bad habits and bondages.

Soul is a reality. Soul is different from body. Every soul exists in the world form beginningless time, passing through the cycles of birth and death.
Existence in the world is full of sufferings. One who transcends birth and death becomes free from all sufferings forever.

Indulging in reactions such as anger, pride, deceit, lust, etc, (often called 'passions') is the cause of bondage of soul with karma (sort of tiny particles), which results in sufferings.

Freedom from such reactions leads one to Liberation and Bliss.

Non-Violence

Feel oneness with all living beings.
All living beings have equal right to live; all enjoy living and dislike dying. Killing any living being amounts to killing oneself. Do not kill, injure, enslave, torture, or exploit any living being. Befriend all living beings.

Ahimsa means

1. Not to kill any creature
2. Not to hire or pay anyone else to kill them
3. Not to praise or support anyone else who kills them

Rationale of vegetarianism

Equality

All human beings are equal. No race is superior to others. No caste is superior to others. No color is superior to others. No sex is superior to others.
All distinctions on the basis of race, caste, color, and sex are arbitrary.
Do not consider anyone inferior to you.

Relativity and Co-Existence

Truth is multifaceted. One statement is true from one point of view, while the opposite statement is also true from another point of view. Therefore reconciliation is always possible betweeen two opposite views.
Discard absolutistic attitudes and remain in peaceful co-existence with all.

The Path

Right Knowledge

is knowledge of the Self
Right Faith
is faith in the philosophy of Soul
Right Conduct is practice of self-discipline by:
Renunciation of all actions which come from 'passions' (e.g. violence, falsehood, dishonesty, incontinence, and attachment to possessions
Constant awareness of the self
Equanimity in all situations, whether pleasant or painful
Right Spiritual Practice
Efforts of self-purification such as meditation, fasting, spiritual studies, etc

Modern Relevance

It was on the basis of the above principles that Bhagwan Mahavira 2600 years ago spoke out against sacrificing animals, slavery, the caste system, descrimination against women in religious activities, and many other inhumane and illogical social and religious practices.

Bhagwan Mahavira's teachings have even a greater relevance and deeper significance in the modern age in the context of establishment of:

Universal friendliness and peace through non-violence and disarmament
Social patterns without exploitation and violence
Economic policies based on forswearing of acquisitiveness
Reconciliation between diverse religious faiths, political parties, community and racial factions, etc, based on the doctrine of relativism or non-absolutism
Mental peace through spiritual development based on freedom from various 'passions'