Jainism is the ancient religion of India. A feature of this religion is great respect for all living creatures. Senior monks do not wear any clothes. Monks carry only brooms and water pots. Brooms are used to sweep insects from the path to avoid harming them.

Jain monks are strict vegetarians, they can't cook, so every day they go to Jain households and beg for food.
The vast majority of Jains are not monks or nuns. Many accept that their time to be a monk or nun will come in a future life.
Jainism is considered the most peaceful religion in the world. Jains are one of the wealthiest and most educated religious groups in India. Jains just make 0.4% of India's population but holds nearly 20% of all the wealth in the country.

Feb 2014