Question

Summarise the central teachings of Jainism.

Answer 1

The central teachings of jainism are as follows

Life is full of suffering and unhappiness. It is due to our unfulfilled desires. This is true today since most people are not satisfied with what they have. They resort to unfair means out of greed and end up in suffering and trouble.
Our actions (‘Karma’) affect us in our current life as well as next life.
We should not hurt or kill any living being, according to Mahavira. This is important because every living being has a desire to live.
Thinkers wanted to know about life after death and they wanted to know why sacrifices should be performed. Sacrifices are not justified since living being should be killed.
Upanishadic thinkers also felt that something was permanent in the universe and it lasted even after death.