From Jainism’s Holy Akaranga Sutra, Book II – Uttarâdhyayana: Lectures 3-6, Part 2 of 2

One of the oldest religions in the world is Jainism. Originating from ancient India, this philosophy centers around concepts such as right perception, right knowledge and right conduct in the attainment of moksha, or realization of the soul’s true nature. The concept of ahimsa, or non-violence, is of equally great importance. Thus, with compassion for all life, practitioners of Jainism follow a pure vegetarian (or vegan) diet. Lord Mahavira, who is considered to be the last Tirthakara. After attaining keval jnan, or all-knowing intuitive vision, he spent the rest of his life giving discourses on spiritual truths, which form the present-day tenets of Jainism. “All men who are ignorant of the Truth are subject to pain; in the endless Samsara (migration and transmigration) they suffer in many ways. Therefore a wise man, who considers well the ways that lead to bondage and birth, should himself search for the truth, and be kind towards all creatures.