Jainism
Jainism is a very popular religion in the eastern part of the world, especially in India. Jainism incorporates many different forms of prayer and sacrifice compared to Catholicism, to which Canadians are accustomed. ... Jainism, or more properly Jain Dharma, starts with a serious concern for the human soul in its relationship with laws that govern existence in the universe, with other living beings and to its own future state in eternity. ... The religion of Jainism offers a quiet, but very serious and strict way of life. ... Thus, these points and the religion Jainism have dramatically influenced the development of India. ... Thus, it is through their beliefs and rituals that Jainism influences India. ... Originating on the Indian subcontinent, Jainism is one of the oldest religions of its homeland and indeed of the world. Jainism has prehistoric origins dating before 3000 BC, and before the beginning of Indo-Aryan culture. ... This contributes to present India because if it were not for the Jinas then all of the rules of Jainism could have been changed or never put in place and the people of India would not be in poverty. Hence, the leaders of Jainism influenced India a great deal. ... Jainism teaches its followers to believe in reincarnation where their souls take different living forms in the cycle of birth, death and then rebirth. ... One Christian writer on Jainism admired much of the Jain faith, but strongly felt the lack of a personal god, a refuge in a time of trouble. This is seen as a strength of Jainism because the individual feels master of his or her fate, not a dependent follower. ... Along with the fact that Jains don’t believe in a god, Jainism can be compared and contrasted to other religions of the world. Jainism belongs within the Indian tradition, where the West is dominated by Christianity, Islam and Judaism, the three religions which have close links and trace back to the ancient Middle East. ... Buddhism and Jainism do not accept the idea of god at all.