Jainism is an atheistic religion, they defend their beliefs by claiming that “neither perception, nor inference can prove the existence of God” [meta-religion.com]
One of the three Indian philosophies that does not accept that authority of the Vedas.
Accepts three sources of knowledge: Perception, Inference & Testimony
Those who believe in Jainism believe that every judgement is true only from particular standpoints. If there is a claim that judgement is unconditionally true, this leads to dogmatism and intolerance.
All physical things are made of atoms and all living things possess a soul like light, this soul pervades the entire body which it inhabits. Therefore, consciousness is the essence of the soul.
When a soul is in perfect condition, then it had gained perfect knowledge, however the karmic matter throughout the world causes the souls to fail and thus the souls learn their natural function.
Jains believe that although the soul is inherently perfect, it often finds itself limited, this is due to the soul’s past karma which determines the kind of body that the soul will receive, and thus its consequent limitation.
According to jainism, the way forward for the soul is through the three jewels: of Right Faith, of Right Knowledge and of Right Conduct
Right conduct involves the practices of the five virtues Ahimsa. These are: Non violence, Truth speaking, Non-stealing, Chastity, Non-attachments to wordly things (ie. material possessions)
The Jains are believed to be the first people to have made a non-violence rule of life.
They believe that through the practice of the three jewels, a person is able to succeed in overcoming any forces of passion and karma in order to attain liberation.
Once the soul has gained this liberation, it gains the “four-fold perfection of infinite knowledge, infinite faith, infinite power and infinite bliss” [meta-religion.com]