When I first heard about Jainism, I thought they must all be beautiful people. They believe in respect for all creatures. They literally wouldn't hurt a fly. In fact, they walk around all day with face masks to make sure they don't inhale insects by accident either. And they don't eat radishes or carrots. Because to eat them, they would have to destroy the whole plant. It sounds like they live up the actual words of the Sermon on the Mount, not just give it lip service. So is that true? Are they kind to every living creatures, even the bad ones? Would they literally, not just figuratively, give you shirt off their backs if you needed it? And BTW, any Jains here?
I put this in Judaism because that's the closest I could find. Mods, you could move it to Philosophy and Religion too if you want.
You know Quakers and people like the Amish, they're not bad people, and they have fun in their own way. Like Ned Flanders enjoying his trip to the eye doctor ("I'm Goin' to Praiseland"). They do deny themselves happiness, sometimes, which isn't good. And the Amish deny themselves medical. Not anymore though. They have softened their view on some technology.
I have interacted with Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains and from my personal observation, find the Jains the sweetest. Their vibes are always harmless and pleasant. It perhaps may have something to do with the teachings of nonviolence in Jainism. They are very hospitable as well as I found out after visiting a Jain acquaintance's house and his mom gave me a lot of fried paneer, a sort of tasty cheese dish, even though I was a complete stranger to her. In terms of austerities, physical and psychological, I don't think any other religion matches up to them. The male monks of the Digambara sect don't wear any clothes and are stark naked. The Jains are a minority community in India, but also the wealthiest community with the highest literacy rate as well. Vikram Sarabhai, considered the father of the Indian space programme, was a Jain.
I work with these adherents who also counsel against alcohol and drug use. They avoid the excessive secular excitements provided by sporting events, rock N roll and contentous political discussion. These are Hindi immigrants. Worship is central to thier lives.
I find a lot to like about eastern religions including Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Zen, Sikhism. Each has something that enables us to live in harmony with others and nature. Capitalism/Christianity both ignore nature and strive to control people and resources to everyone's detriment, especially nature. The results are now obvious and irreversible and will lead to the end of civilization as we know it.
