Jainism

Refers to the religion and philosophy founded in India in the sixth century BCE by Vardhamana, one of the religious figures who protested and repudiated the orthodox doctrines of the Vedic cult. It is characterized by an aversion to rites of sacrifice prevalent in Vedic traditions, by the belief in the ethical doctrine of ahimsa, advocating non-injury to all living creatures, and by the struggle for the consummate ideal of human perfection achieved through monastic and devout living.