Jainism, as a religion that subsists to the same principles and
religious philosophy as Hinduism and Buddhism, is ultimately a religion
where people seek moksha or salvation from the sins of the world. Since
Jainism also believes in the concept of good and bad karma popular among
Hindus, Jainism posits that in order to achieve moksha, one must have the
"right" faith, knowledge, and conduct in life.
In order to achieve these "three jewels" of faith in Jainism,
believers or yatis must follow the 5 ethical pillars of the religion.
These five pillars are enumerated as follows: (1) refusal to inflict injury
(ahimsa); (2) truthfulness (satya); (3) refusal to steal (asteya); (4)
sexual restraint (brahamacarya); and (5) refusal to accept unnecessary
gifts (aparigraha). These ethical pillars are more than just rules or
standards of conduct to follow among believers of Jainism; more than a
religion, it becomes also a lifestyle or a way of living for people. Take
as an example, the refusal to inflict injury, or ahimsa. As a religious
principle, ahimsa later develops into the principle of non-violence, which
encompasses the human notion of physical injury, which includes emotional
and moral injury to another individual. Truthfulness or satya is also
reflected in the Jain belief of anekantwad, which is the Jain principle of
relativity and open-mindedness. This means that seeking the truth is,
according to Jain principles and philosophy, keeping an open-mindâ€"that is,
one must always keep in mind that there exists multiple truths' in life.
Thus, to achieve moksha, one must practice the principle of open-
mindedness, which involves knowing the existing truths in human life, and
knowing which best benefits the common good, as well as the individual.
Thus, taken altogether, the five ethical pillars of Jainismâ€"non-violence,
truthfulness, selflessnes...