It is a goofy religion. Not that any religions aren't goofy. I have an online friend from India who was raised a Jain. He decided growing up he was an atheist, like me!

It is in a severe state of decline, and probably will shrink to a fragment in a century or two. India is a repository of cults and will have remnants for a long time.

Jan Brady is the true messiah! All doubters will be in hell (Greg's attic bedroom).

Very goofy. Did you know that Jains believe that if you walk up to a rock, and kick it, you will kill a living being? They will not eat after dark, for fear that they will inadvertently inhale an insect and kill it. Some even walk around with masks over their mouths so that they won't do that.

There is controdiction in many sources on weather Jains don't believe in any gods, one God or believe in many gods. I have not read any of their scriptures as the collection I have seen is to big and to hard to understand. Jain means victorious conquerors. An unorthodox creed resembling Buddhism founded c502 BC (the date given is wrong since Jainism existed before Buddhism which it influenced) by Vardamana Mahavira a chiefs son derived from Brahmanism (Orthodox Hinduism) and rejects the Vedas. It teaches reverence of wise and good men and respect for animals. That there are two great realities, soul and matter. SOuls are imprisoned within a body and prevented from excaping by Karma. To obtain release one must free the soul from all Karma by undergoing hardship and discomfort to burn off the old karma and being careful to avoid harming any living creatures physicly and psychologicaly (to avoid new karma). They cary brushes to sweep the groud before them so as not to harm any creatures before therre step. They believe in demons and worship? and pray to the Tirthankana/Jinas (Saints) like Mahavaira himself who has been relised from rebirth. Practice c40 esential rites, have attonement, pilgrmages to sacred places on holidays and offerings to the Saints (jinas), they practice meditation (mantra and other forms) for release and mental yoga for increasing psychic powers and help them become Saints. They reject the cast system, are pacifist, avoid drugs, vegetarian and are only pemitted up to three hours of sleep at night. 4 or 5 denominations some of which don't ware cloths others ware masks so as to not kill or harm microbes they breath in.

Good meditation practices, the rest is extreme.

confusing!!!!

Jainism is a mixture of Buddhist and Hindu beliefs. Altough they may have some good values, I think the Jains are rather suffering than learning - They can't walk on grass, the women wear masks to prevent killing of germs.