CultureSouth Asia

Jainism

600 BCE – 528 BCE

Non-violence taken as far as it can be taken

In depth

Jainism also developed the idea that any claim is true only from one standpoint — anekantavada — one of the world's earliest systematic epistemologies. Because farming entails killing small creatures, Jains became traders and bankers, and hold an economic influence in India far beyond their numbers. Gandhi's doctrine of non-violence is directly indebted to Jain thought.

For children

Mahavira taught that everything living has a soul, insects and plants included. Jains sweep the path before them so as not to tread on anything, and strain their water before drinking. No religion has carried non-violence further.

Connects to

The Buddha and the Axial Age484 BCE
The Upanishads701 BCE – 301 BCE
Ashoka269 BCE – 233 BCE

Part of Terra Saga — the story of Earth on a timeline. terrasaga.org