An ancient Indian religion that emphasises non-violence (ahimsa), asceticism, and liberation of the soul, systematised in the 6th century BCE by Vardhamana Mahavira, the twenty-fourth and last tirthankara (ford-maker).
- Mahavira (about 540 to 468 BCE) was born at Kundagrama near Vaishali; the first tirthankara was Rishabhanatha (Adinatha) and the twenty-third was Parshvanatha.
- Core doctrine: the Triratna (three jewels) of right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct, and five vows including ahimsa, satya (truth), asteya (non-stealing), aparigraha (non-possession), and brahmacharya (celibacy, added by Mahavira).
- Jainism does not centre on a creator God; it accepts the eternity of the soul and the law of karma, and stresses extreme non-violence (extending to the smallest creatures).
- It later split into two sects: the Digambaras (sky-clad, who reject clothing for monks) and the Shvetambaras (white-clad).
- Jain councils were held at Pataliputra and later Vallabhi, where the canonical texts (the Angas, in Prakrit) were compiled; royal patrons included Chandragupta Maurya (traditionally) and Kharavela of Kalinga.
The twenty-four tirthankaras (Rishabhanatha first, Parshvanatha 23rd, Mahavira 24th), the Triratna and five vows, the Digambara-Shvetambara split, and the Prakrit canon are standard ancient-religion facts.
Mahavira was the 24th tirthankara, not the founder from scratch; the fifth vow of celibacy was added by Mahavira to Parshvanatha's original four. Jainism (24 tirthankaras, no creator God) is distinct from Buddhism (Four Noble Truths, Buddha).
Religion of ahimsa and asceticism finalised by Mahavira, the 24th tirthankara; Triratna, five vows, and the Digambara and Shvetambara sects.