Jainism an Indian religious and philosophical tradition established by Mahavira, a contemporary of the historical Buddha, in the latter half of the sixth and the beginning of the fifth century . . The tradition holds that each person (jiva) is everlasting and indestructible, a self-conscious identity surviving as a person even in a state of final enlightenment. It accepts personal immortality without embracing any variety of monotheism. On the basis of sensory experience it holds that there exist mind-independent physical objects, and it regards introspective experience as establishing the existence of enduring selves. It accepts the doctrines of rebirth and karma and conceives the ultimate good as escape from the wheel of rebirth. It rejects all violence as incompatible with achieving enlightenment. See also BUDDHIS. K.E.Y.