In August or September Jains hold their most important festival called Paryushana, or Daslakshana. During this 8-10 day festival Jains often fast, meditate, and emphasize the five main vows of abstinence.
Most Jains live in India where their population is believed to be between 4-6 million. Jain groups can be found in Europe, the United States, Kenya, and in Canada.
In Jainism all life has a soul, from bacteria to plants, to animals and to humans. Because they all have souls they all have the ability to reach nirvana.
Jains do not worship a god or saint, and instead work to attain nirvana as they believe other liberated souls have attained.
In Jainism the belief is that karma is actually matter that attaches to the soul as a result of thoughts, actions, and words, regardless of whether they are positive or negative.
In Jainism there is the belief that there are multiple universes. This is Bharat Kshetra, one of three universes that we may be reborn into.
Jains are vegetarians due to their non-violent beliefs. They may also become vegan to avoid the damage and destruction of modern farming.
Most Jains do not eat mushrooms, honey, or root vegetables. They also do not drink alcohol or take drugs that alter the mind.
Fasting is common in Jainism.
Some extreme Jains fast to death. These Jains prefer to die rather than cause any suffering to the plants that they would otherwise have to consume to survive.
Jains make up India's most educated religious group.
In America Jains make up some of the richest people in the country.
Jains make five vows of abstinence including Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (no stealing), Aparigraha (non-attachment), and Brahmacarya (chaste living).
In Jainism there are five kinds of knowledge including sensory knowledge, scriptural knowledge, clairvoyance, telepathy, and omniscience.
Jainism teaches that there are six simple substances including soul, matter, time, space, adharma, and dharma.
Jainism refers to the soul substance as Jiva. The other five substances are referred to as ajiva.