Jainism
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Glasgow Museums has a collection of seven objects relating to Jainism which date from between 1888 and 1992. This collection comprises Jain 'images' including four which are coloured stone figures purchased at the 1888 International Exhibition from Jeypore, Rajputna and two bronze images from the Gujarat region of India which were gifted by James Boyd in 1929. There is also an altar image of the Jain teacher Mahavira which was purchased on an Arts Council trip to Delhi in 1992. Jainism is a religion that believes that enlightenment can be attained through the right belief, the right conduct and the right knowledge. A teacher, Mahavira lived in India in the 6th century BC and gave the religion the form that we know today. Jains strongly believe in non-violence against any living thing, which influences their vegetarianism, and some wear white masks to stop flies or insects inadvertently being killed. There are approximately 30,000 Jains in the UK though the number in Scotland is unknown.
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