Jainism (JAY-nizm)
Jainism is an non-theistic ascetic dharmic tradition — meaning it does not center on a creator god, but on the eternal cycle of souls (jīva) striving for liberation (moksha) through nonviolence and discipline. Unlike polytheism (many gods) or monotheism (one god), Jainism posits an infinite universe without beginning or end, populated by souls bound by karma. Its hallmark is ahiṃsā — radical nonviolence toward all living beings.
Origins & Historical Development
Jainism arose in India around the same time as Buddhism, with teachers (tīrthaṅkaras, “ford-makers”) like Mahāvīra establishing the discipline of renunciation, meditation, and ethical restraint. In Koina’s divergence, Jainism is never marginalized as a minority faith. Without empire-driven persecution or missionary competition, it flourishes alongside Hindu Dharma and Buddhism in the Indic Sangha Federations. Jain communities are respected as ethical exemplars, often called upon as mediators in disputes, since their philosophy insists on impartiality and truthfulness.
Core Beliefs & Practices
The central principle is ahiṃsā, nonviolence, applied not only to humans but to animals, plants, and even microorganisms. Jains practice strict vegetarianism, careful speech, and restraint in possessions. Other vows include truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy (for monks), and non-attachment. Liberation (moksha) is achieved by shedding karmic bonds through ascetic practice and meditation. Unlike Buddhism, which frames suffering as the central problem, Jainism emphasizes the weight of karma and the purity of soul.
Sacred Texts & Traditions
The Jaina scriptures (Āgamas) preserve Mahāvīra’s teachings, while later commentaries expand on metaphysics, cosmology, and ethics. In Koina, Jain scholasticism thrives as part of the broader federative archive. Jain philosophers contribute to logic, mathematics, and astronomy, often collaborating with Buddhist and Stoic schools. The doctrine of anekāntavāda (many-sidedness of truth) becomes especially influential: the idea that reality is complex and no single statement can capture it fully. This principle resonates deeply with Koina’s plural ethos.
Institutions & Structure
Jainism organizes around monastic communities, divided broadly into Śvetāmbara (“white-clad”) and Digambara (“sky-clad”) traditions. In Koina, these divisions never harden into schism; both are recognized within federative councils. Monks and nuns practice rigorous asceticism, while lay Jains support them through almsgiving, temple maintenance, and festivals. Temples, with their intricate stone carvings and symbolic cosmograms, become centers not only of devotion but of civic identity.
Relation to the Accord
Jains are deeply valued within the Cooperative Federation for their ethical rigor. Their principle of nonviolence shapes Accord law on animal welfare, environmental stewardship, and restorative justice. Jains often serve as advisors in councils, their impartiality trusted in mediations. The concept of layered truth (anekāntavāda) provides philosophical grounding for the Accord’s practice of pluralism: every tradition holds part of the truth, none holds it entirely.
Cultural Influence & Legacy
Jain art and architecture enrich Koina’s landscape, from the marble temples of Mount Abu to the cosmological murals that adorn city halls. Jain merchants play a major role in trade, known for their fairness and reliability. Philosophically, Jain logic influences mathematics and debate across federations. Ecologically, their reverence for all life contributes to Koina’s slower, more balanced industrial development.
Modern Presence
Today, Jainism is practiced widely in India and diaspora communities across Asia, Africa, and beyond. While numerically smaller than Hinduism or Buddhism, its influence is disproportionately large: Jains are seen as guardians of conscience within the Cooperative Federation. Their temples, charities, and schools are open to all, and their philosophical insistence on nonviolence and many-sided truth remains a guiding star in a plural, cooperative world.
Type
Religious, Other
Alternative Names
Jaina Dharma; The Path of Nonviolence
Demonym
Jains
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