What does Jainism say about nature?
William Taylor
Updated on May 31, 2026
Jains believe plants, animals, and even some nonliving things (like air and water) have souls, just as humans do. The principle of nonviolence includes doing no harm to humans, plants, animals, and nature.
What is the human condition in Jainism?
What is the human condition? Jains believe humans are caught in samsara; the endless cycle of life, death, and rebirth, characterized by ignorance and suffering. The Jiva is condemned to samsara and as a result of the collecting of karma, is weighed down with ajiva.
What do Jains believe about the body?
For Jains body and soul are different things: the body is just an inanimate container – the conscious being is the jiva. After each bodily death, the jiva is reborn into a different body to live another life, until it achieves liberation.
What is the essential character of soul according to Jainism?
The fundamental tenet of Jain doctrine is that all phenomena are linked in a universal chain of cause and effect. Every event has a definite cause. By nature each soul is pure, possessing infinite knowledge, bliss, and power; however, these faculties are restricted throughout time by the soul’s contact with matter.
What do Jains believe about death?
Instead of it being a mournful end, Jain philosophy views death as a welcome gateway to the next birth. Like many of India’s great religions, followers of Jainism believe in reincarnation and karma.
How does Jainism understand karma?
Jains believe that karma is a physical substance that is everywhere in the universe. Karma particles are attracted to the soul by the actions of that soul. The Jain doctrine also holds that it is possible for us to both modify our karma, and to obtain release from it, through the austerities and purity of conduct.
How do jainas understand the world and human suffering?
In Jainism, suffering is caused by ignorance of the true nature of reality, and liberation is achieved through spiritual awakening and then living the truth one has realized.