The principles of Jainism revolve around the concept of man’s direct knowledge of things. Jaina teachings place man’s ability to think and feel as a natural manifestation of life as the processes in nature around him. This view, according to thinkers is “materialising the spiritual and spiritualising the material. According to this religion the soul is present in everything, the organic and even the inorganic has soul. Soul is undying, and is not created by gods sitting up there in the heavens. But only the soul of an ascetic could achieve nirvana or liberation; and not an ordinary man. The most important principle of Jainism’s ethics is the practice of ahimsa or non-violence. A jain should refrain from killing not just an animal, but even the minutest of beings. The Jainist texts stipulate 28 rules of conduct, including truthfulness, self-control etc. Jainism spread fast in various parts of India with the support of influential sponsors like kings and scholars. The religion influenced Indian culture and life a lot, including its art, science and literature.