UPSC Prelims 2023·GS1·art-and-culture·religion and literature

"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?

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Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. ABuddhism
  2. BJainismCorrect
  3. CShaivism
  4. DVaishnavism

Explanation

The statement describes a core tenet of Jainism. Jain philosophy posits that souls (Jiva) are present not only in animate beings like animals and plants but also in seemingly inanimate objects or elements of nature, such as earth (rocks), water, fire, and air. This belief in the omnipresence of jivas extends the concept of life to all forms of existence. Consequently, Jainism emphasizes extreme non-violence (Ahimsa) towards all forms of life, including these elemental beings, as every entity is believed to possess a soul capable of experiencing suffering. This distinguishes Jainism from other religious sects which typically restrict the concept of soul or life to organic beings.
art-and-culture: "Souls are not only the property of animal and plant life, but also of rocks, running water and many other natural objec
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