Jainism
The founder of the Jain community was Vardhamana, the last
Jina in a series of 24 who lived in East India. He attained enlightenment after
13 years of deprivation and committed the act of salekhana, fasting to death,
in 420 BCE. Jainism has many similarities to Hinduism and Buddhism which
developed in the same part of the world. They believe in karma and
reincarnation as do Hindus but they believe that enlightenment and liberation
from this cycle can only be achieved through asceticism. Jains follow fruititarianism.
This is the practice of only eating that which will not kill the plant or
animal from which it is taken. They also practice ahimsa, non-violence, because
any act of violence against a living thing creates negative karma which will
adversely affect one's next life.
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