Jainism was founded by Mahavira who was
born about 580 B.C. in Northern India. It has 4 million followers in
India. He preached atheism or the absence of god. Jainism also believes
that one can achieve salvation (freedom from wheel of life i.e. rebirth).
Jains use the word Karma to mean a substance that binds the soul to
physical world. By causing sins you keep accumulating Karma whereas
meditation and fasting burns the Karma. One can get freedom from rebirth
(Salvation) only after burning the Karma accumulated in past lives.
Mahavira laid down five ways to get rid of wheel of life:
- Do not destroy life
- Speak the truth
- Be celibate
- Own nothing
- Accept nothing that is not freely given
