Jainism is not a particularly popular religion — just 0.4 percent of the Indian population — but its influence has been great.
Jainism emphasizes ahimsa, or nonviolence, and Jains are typically vegetarian or vegan. Jain monks are famed for their severe asceticism — as opposed to Buddhism’s “middle way” between luxury and asceticism — fasting often, going naked, and using a peacock-feather fan to sweep any insects away before sitting down.
Lay Jains have traditionally avoided professions involving any bloodshed (e.g. farming, military) and have instead focused on trading, which has made them wealthy and influential:
The Jains are among the wealthiest of the Indians. They are also among the most philanthropic, they run numerous schools, colleges and hospitals. They have been the most important patrons of the Somapuras, the traditional temple architects in Gujarat.Jains have greatly influenced the cuisine of Gujarat. Gujarat is dominantly vegetarian, and its dishes all have pleasing and soothing aromas due to the lack of foods with pungent odors, such as onions and garlic.
According to the 2001 census, the Jains are the most literate community in India. India’s oldest libraries at Patan and Jaisalmer have been preserved by Jain institutions.