Jainism (pronounced
/ˈdʒaɪˌnɪz.əm/) 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 towards divine consciousness and
liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state of supreme being is called
Jina (Conqueror or Victor). Jainism is also referred to as
Shraman (self-reliant) Dharma or the religion of Nirgantha (who does not have attachments and aversions) by ancient texts. Jainism is commonly referred to as
Jain Dharma in
Hindi and
Samanam in
Tamil.
Jainism, which its followers consider to have always existed,
[1][2][3] has prehistoric origins dating before 3000 BC, and before the beginning of Indo-Aryan culture
[4]. Organized Jainism is believed by historians to have arisen between the ninth and the sixth centuries
BCE.
[5][6] Some have speculated that the religion may have its roots in much earlier times, reflecting native spirituality prior to the
Indo-Aryan migration into India.
[7][8][9] In the modern world, it is a small but influential religious minority with as many as 4.2 million followers in
India,
[10] and successful growing immigrant communities in
North America,
Western Europe, the
Far East,
Australia and elsewhere.
[11]
Jains have successfully sustained this longstanding religion to the present day and have significantly influenced and contributed to
ethical,
political and economic spheres in India. Jains have an ancient tradition of scholarship and have the highest degree of literacy in India;
[12][13] Jain libraries are the oldest in the country.
[14]Tamil Jains and Kannada Jains who are native to their regions, residing in
Tamil Nadu and
Karnataka respectively early since 1st century BCE,
[15] are distinguishable in some of their routines and practices from North Indian Jains, but the core philosophies and belief systems are the same for both cultures.
