"Souls are not only the property of animal and plant life, but also of rocks, running water and many other natural objects not looked on as living by other religious sects."
The above statement reflects one of the core beliefs of which one of the following religious sects of ancient India?
This questions was previously asked in
UPSC CSP Previous Year Paper (2023)
Buddhism
Incorrect AnswerShaivism
Incorrect AnswerVaishnavism
Incorrect AnswerExplanation:
The belief that souls are present not just in animals and plants but also in inanimate objects is a core principle of Jainism. This belief forms the basis for Jainism's strong emphasis on non-violence (ahimsa) and respect towards all forms of life and matter. Jains believe that every entity, living or non-living, possesses a soul, and thus, they advocate for minimal harm and violence towards all beings. This is why many devout Jains follow practices like not eating root vegetables (to avoid killing the entire plant) and using peacock feather brushes to sweep paths before walking (to avoid stepping on microorganisms).
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By: Parvesh Mehta