Every living being, from the smallest Nigoda microorganism to humans, possesses an eternal soul. To harm any is to harm oneself. Jainism extended non-violence to thought, word, and deed — 2,500 years before Gandhi. Not passive — the active cultivation of universal compassion.
No single viewpoint can capture complete reality. Every object and concept can be validly described from infinite standpoints (nayas). The world's first systematic pluralism — logically forbidding dogmatism.
Every assertion must be prefixed with "Syāt" — "in some respect." The seven-fold Saptabhaṅgī: Is · Is not · Is and Is not · Is indescribable · and three combinations. The world's first formal multi-valued logical system.
Material accumulation creates karmic bondage and social inequality. Jain ethics of minimal possession is the world's first systematic critique of consumerism — a timeless blueprint for sustainable, ethical, zero-harm living.
Not divine punishment — a natural physical law. Ultra-fine karmic matter attaches to the soul through passionate mental, verbal, and physical activity. Eight types with precise, measurable effects on knowledge, perception, lifespan, feelings, and the path to liberation.
The soul's ultimate destination: pure infinite consciousness, bliss, and power. Path: Samyak Darshana (right faith) + Samyak Jnana (right knowledge) + Samyak Charitra (right conduct) — the three jewels of Jainism. Liberation is always self-achieved, never granted.
Complete non-violence in thought, word, and deed toward all living beings. For monks: absolute. For laypeople: partial (Anuvrat). The supreme vow — all others flow from it.
Speak only what is true, pleasant, and beneficial. Silence is preferred over a truth that causes pain. Truth without Ahimsa is not Jain truth.
Take nothing that is not freely given — including intellectual property, time, and energy.
For monks: complete celibacy. For laypeople: faithfulness within marriage. Sexual energy, sublimated, transforms into spiritual energy (tapas).
Limit accumulation of material objects, relationships, and experiences. Every possession is a potential source of violence and attachment.
The living, conscious entity. Eternal. Infinite in number. The only entity capable of liberation.
All non-conscious substances: matter, space, time, medium of motion, medium of rest.
Auspicious karma produced by good thoughts, words, and deeds.
Inauspicious karma produced by harmful thoughts, words, and deeds. A natural consequence, not moral condemnation.
Inflow of karmic matter into the soul through passions (kashaya) and activity (yoga).
The actual bonding of karmic particles to the soul.
Stopping new karmic inflow through right conduct, restraint, and meditation.
Active elimination of previously bound karma through austerity (tapas) and meditation.
Complete elimination of all karma. The soul rises to Siddhashila in pure infinite consciousness.