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Jainism has significantly influenced the religious, ethical, political and economic spheres in India for about three millennia. Jainism stresses the spiritual independence and equality of all life with a particular emphasis on non-violence. Self-control is the means by which Jains attain Keval Gyan & eventually moksha, or realization of the soul's true nature.
Jain philosophy is based upon eternal, universal truths, according to its followers. Over a period of time, these truths may lapse among humanity and then reappear through the teachings of enlightened humans, those who have reached enlightenment or total knowledge (Keval Gnan). Traditionally, in our universe and in our time, Lord Rishabha is regarded as the first to realize the truth, ultimately followed by Lord Parshva (877-777 BCE) and Lord Vardhaman Mahavira (??????) (599-527 BCE).It is important to note that the above description stands true with the stated qualification of "our universe and in our time". This is so because the Jain tradition believes that there have been infinite such sets of 24 Tirthankars, and would be so in the future. Hence, Jainism, as many might not know, is not tracing its origins to Rishabh Deva, the first, or Mahavira, the twenty-fourth.
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