Jainism is an ancient Indian religion that emphasizes non-violence, self-discipline, and liberation from the cycle of birth and death. It was founded by Mahavira in the 6th century BCE and is considered one of the oldest living religions in the world. The main principles of Jainism revolve around the concept of ahimsa, or non-violence, and the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment through self-discipline and detachment from worldly desires.

The first and most fundamental principle of Jainism is ahimsa, or non-violence. Jains believe that all living beings, not just humans, have a soul and should be treated with compassion and respect. This includes not causing harm to any living being, whether it be through physical violence, emotional harm, or even thoughts of violence. Jains follow a strict vegetarian diet and practice extreme care and caution in their actions to avoid causing harm to any living being.

The second principle of Jainism is anekantavada, or the belief in non-absolutism. Jains recognize that there are multiple perspectives and truths in the world and that no one single belief or idea can fully capture the complexity of reality. This principle encourages Jains to be open-minded, tolerant, and respectful of others' beliefs and opinions.

The third principle of Jainism is aparigraha, or non-attachment. Jains believe that attachment to material possessions and desires leads to suffering and prevents one from reaching spiritual enlightenment. Therefore, Jains practice detachment and simplicity in their lives, avoiding excessive material possessions and focusing on inner peace and contentment.

The fourth principle of Jainism is anuvratas, or the five vows. These are the basic moral codes that Jains follow in their daily lives to lead a virtuous and ethical life. These vows include ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truthfulness), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (celibacy or moderation), and aparigraha (non-attachment).

The fifth principle of Jainism is karma and reincarnation. Jains believe in the concept of karma, which states that one's actions in this life will determine their fate in the next. Therefore, Jains strive to live a virtuous life to accumulate good karma and avoid negative actions that may lead to negative consequences in the future. They also believe in reincarnation, the cycle of birth and death, and seek to break free from this cycle through spiritual enlightenment.

In conclusion, the main principles of Jainism revolve around the concept of ahimsa, or non-violence, and the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment through self-discipline and detachment from worldly desires. These principles guide Jains in leading a moral, ethical, and compassionate life, with the ultimate goal of attaining liberation from the cycle of birth and death.