From A Young Writer's Pen:

Jainism is a religion based on the three jewels (RATNATRAYA): right belief, right knowledge and right conduct. Jains believe in the cycles of birth and death. The cycles of birth and death occur due to karmas - our good and bad deeds. For every good and bad deed we do, there is some effect in this life or in the following lives. Jain religion classifies karmas into eight different groups. When a worldly soul gets rid of all karmas, it becomes a pure soul (SIDDHA) and attains salvation (MOKSHA).

Jains practice five vows that lead to spiritual uplift and ultimately to salvation. The vows are nonviolence, truth, non-stealing, celibacy and non-possessiveness. Jains also practice six essentials - daily religious activities. They are equanimity (SAAMAAYIK), obeisance to the twenty-four TEERTHANKARs (CHAUVEESATTHAO), homage to teachers (GURU VANDAN), repentance (PRATIKRAMAN), concentration on soul (KAAYOTSARG) and determination (PACHCHAKHAAN). On eliminating four soul-influencing karmas, namely, knowledge-obscuring, perception-obscuring, deluding and obstructing karmas, a soul achieves the status of ARIHANT. Some ARIHANTs reform and reinstate the Jain religious system. These are called TEERTHANKARs. Essentially, Jains worship TEERTHANKARs as 'God'. On getting rid of the remaining four types of karmas, ARIHANTs become SIDDHAs. Jains worship all ARIHANTs, SIDDHAs and monks (SADHUs). Jains worship ARIHANTs because they exemplify the path to salvation, SIDDHAs because they are pure souls and monks because they show the path to spiritual progress. All worldly souls have the capability to become ARIHANTs and ultimately attain salvation.

Jains have a number of scriptures called AGAMs. We can learn the basic principles of the Jain religion by studying them. Like synagogues and churches, there are temples (DERASAR) for Jains. These are holy places where Jains go to worship. There are images of TEERTHANKARs in DERASARs. People say many prayers in their worship. The most common prayer is NAVAKAAR MANTRA - a prayer to ARIHANTs, SIDDHAs and SADHUs.

In sum, the Jain religion has a great impact on my life. It teaches me nonviolence and vegetarianism. I have started to realize that having too many possessions is not desirable. I should use as little of natural resources as possible. This practice is good for me, for my fellow beings and for the environment. I try to concentrate on soul and I avoid any form of violence mentally, verbally or physically. To me, Jainism is not just a religion, it is a way of life.

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