Facts and information
Jains believe that every living being has a soul (which never changes) and a body (which can’t last forever). They believe that we are reborn after we die ? this is called reincarnation. We will become free from being reborn when we make our souls pure.
Ahimsa (or non-violence) is a way of life for Jains.
The 3 most important things in Jainism are called the 3 jewels, these are ?
Right belief
Right knowledge
Right way of behaving
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Their understanding of god
Jains do not believe in only 1 God or spirit. Instead they believe in 24 enlightened ones (or tirthnkaras). The tirthnkaras lived in the past and show the way to live a good life.
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How it began
Jainism is possibly the world’s oldest religion. It comes from India and goes back as far as 2500 BCE or even earlier.
Jainism did not begin with a prophet or a teacher. Instead it grew with the tirthnkaras.
One of the most important Jains is Mahavira – a man who lived during the same time as the Buddha. Mahavira is believed to be the son of King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala. When Mahavira was 30 he set out on a search for the truth of life. After 12 years he found the answers to life. He began to teach others.
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About worship
Jains usually offer worship (called puja at shrines in their home) 3 times a day (before dawn, at sunset and at night).
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How many people believe in this faith?
There are about 7 million Jains in the world. There are around 5 thousand Jain monks and nuns in the world.
Over 3 million Jains live in India, and several thousand in Europe.
There are between 25 and 30 thousand Jains in the UK. This means it is the 7th largest faith in the country.
Most Jains live in north London and Leicester, there are smaller communities in other parts of the country.
Jains are split into 2 groups – the Digambaras and the Svetambaras.
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| Diet
Information to follow.
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