The Jain Religion-Jain Festivals.

The Jain Festival of Paryushana  begins in the month of August.

Jainism is the ancient religion founded by Lord Mahavira that teaches that the way to liberation, bliss is to live lives of harmlessness and renunciation and is parallel to Buddhism.

The essence of Jainism is concern for the welfare of every being in the universe and for the health of the universe itself.

·         Jains believe that animals and plants, as well as human beings, contain living souls. Each of these souls is considered of equal value and should be treated with respect and compassion.

·         Jains are strict vegetarians and live in a way that minimises their use of the world's resources.

·         Jains believe in reincarnation and seek to attain ultimate liberation - which means escaping the continuous cycle of birth, death and rebirth so that the immortal soul lives for ever in a state of bliss.

·         Liberation is achieved by eliminating all karma from the soul.

·         Jainism is a religion of self-help.

·         There are no gods or spiritual beings that will help human beings.

·         Jainism has no priests. Its professional religious people are their Sadhus, who lead strict and ascetic lives.