University of Virginia Library

JAINISM:

although this RELIGION probably dates to at least the eighth century B.C. most Western scholars trace its founding to MAHVIRA in the sixth century B.C. A highly conservative movement, it stressed ASCETICISM and holds BELIEFS similar to those of BUDDHISM and HINDUISM which were its main rivals. The UNIVERSE is conceived as an everlasting succession of HEAVENS and HELLS to which all BEINGS are bound by KARMA and from which liberation is desirable through ascetic practice.