Jainism

Jainism is another great religion of India that did not entirely merge into the common fold of Sanatana Dharma until recent times. Mahatma Gandhi has been called the greatest modern Jain, for his championing of non-violence, though he was actually a Hindu.

The Jains base their teachings on various Tirthankaras, who like Buddhas, are great enlightened teachers going back to ancient times. They have similar yogic values and practices as other Hindu and Buddhist teachings.

In fact, much that is regarded as typically Buddhist, like the emphasis on non-violence, karma, and the rejection of a personal God, were originally Jain teachings, which predate the Buddhist by some centuries. Jainism can also be seen as an aspect of Sanatana Dharma, not a separate religion. The Jains have included some of the greatest minds of India, including poets, mathematicians, astronomers and philosophers.

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