Final answer:
Jainism teaches that the soul is bound by karma from individual actions and can only achieve liberation through self-discipline and non-violence. Jains practice a lifestyle of extreme care for all life forms and the religion has a significant following in India, influencing non-violent movements globally.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jains believe in the concept that the soul is bound by karma resulting from an individual's actions. Essentially, the soul can only be freed from material existence through the discipline and virtuous actions of the individual. Jainism, with its historical roots in India, is a religion that teaches that every living being has a soul and that all souls are equal, requiring mutual respect and non-violence towards all forms of life. This emphasis on non-violence, or ahimsa, is so central to Jain belief that some Jains wear masks to avoid inhaling and thereby harming microscopic beings.
In Jain metaphysics, liberation—also known as moksha—is achieved when one frees oneself from the continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth caused by one's actions. Hence, Jains practice a lifestyle that minimizes harm and maximizes self-control and right conduct to achieve spiritual purity. With around five million practising Jains in India today, the religion retains a significant following, despite being a minority, and has influenced other cultural and religious movements, including inspiring Mahatma Gandhi's methods of non-violent protest.