Jainism ( or ), traditionally known as
Jain dharma, is an ancient
Indian religion that prescribes the path of non-violence (
ahiṃsā) towards all living beings.
Jain philosophy distinguishes the soul (consciousnesses) from the body (matter). Jains believe that all living beings are really soul; intrinsically perfect and immortal. Souls in transmigration (
saṃsāra) are said to be embodied in the body like a prison and therefore, experience birth and death. Practitioners believe non-injury (
ahimsa) and self-control are the means to liberation from the cycle of births and deaths. The liberated souls are worshipped as
God in Jainism. Jain texts reject the idea of a creator or destroyer God and postulates an
eternal universe.