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Jainism and Jain Goal of Life
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The well-known concept of ahimsa20 and austerities as a way for self-realization and achievement of moksha originated in the Jain tradition and are now part of the Hindu and Buddhist practices. Hinduism also owes to the Jain tradition for vegetarianism and similar other concepts. Jainism also played a part in the growth of medieval mysticism. Ramamuni is one example of a famous Jain mystic and his work Pahuda Doha is an example of simple mystic poetry of the Middle Ages. Other saint-philosophers from the Hindu and Muslim traditions also contributed to medieval mysticism and significant names in this regard are Khwaja Moinuddin Cishti, Ramananda, Kabir, Nanak, Dadu, Mirabai, Rajjab, and others. Medieval mysticism played an important role in the enrichment of Indian thought and culture and the development of bhakti movement2' in Hinduism is an example of such enrichment.22
Jainism is guided by the core concept of ahimsa and Jains were the first to make it an integral part of daily living and of spiritual pursuits. Ahimsa is nonviolence in thought, word, and deed, in all aspects of life, at all times, under all circumstances, and without any qualifications or conditions. The concept also applies to all creatures, from the largest to the tiniest ones. Accordingly, ahimsa is practiced not only in relation to other human beings, but also in relation to living and non-living beings and Jainism believes that even a stone is a living being with a soul and one-sensed life based on the feeling of touch. The concept of ahimsa also includes the concept of karuna - all-inclusive mercifulness and the concept of kshama - unconditional forgiveness. In no other tradition, the concept of ahimsa has been defined and applied so comprehensively as in Jainism.23
Fundamental concern in Jainism is about the entangled state of the soul and how to free it from the cycles of birth and death and attain moksha. In its original form, the soul is pure, enlightened, and free. However, with the impact of karmas, 24 it becomes vulnerable and gets wrapped with karmic matter.25 The goal is to free the soul from karmic matter, so that it may
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