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=== Jainism ===

=== Jainism ===

Jainism is a branch of Hinduism that emphasizes the principle of non-violence towards all life.  Jainism requires strict vegetarianism, for example.  Jainism was founded by Mahavira (540-468 B.C.), who taught self-denial and non-violence against any form of life.  Jainism’s strict requirements of self-denial caused it to lose popularity, but the religion remained strong and today has over 4 million adherents worldwide (including 7000 in the U.S.).  It influenced Gandhi later in India, and Ralph Waldo Emerson in the United States.  Jainism strictly prohibits abortion.

Jainism is a branch of Hinduism that emphasizes the principle of non-violence towards all life.  Jainism requires strict vegetarianism, for example.  Jainism was founded by Mahavira (540-468 B.C.), who taught self-denial and non-violence against any form of life.  Jainism's strict requirements of self-denial caused it to lose popularity, but the religion remained strong and today has over 4 million adherents worldwide (including 7000 in the U.S.).  It influenced Gandhi later in India, and Ralph Waldo Emerson in the United States.   

 

Once your instructor was approached for advice by a physician who is a member of Jainism, and your instructor first asked if the physician performed abortions because your instructor was not going to advise him if he did.  The question reflected a misunderstanding of Jainism by your instructor, because it strictly prohibits abortion and the taking of any life.

Jainism rejects the authority of the Vedas, the sacred scriptures of Hinduism.

Jainism rejects the authority of the Vedas, the sacred scriptures of Hinduism.