do jains believe in reincarnation

Yes. In Jainism, the soul (jiva) is trapped in the cycle of birth and death (saṃsāra) because of karmic particles that cling to it. After death, the soul takes a new body and continues rebirths until it has shed all karma and achieves liberation (moksha). This rebirths can be in human, animal, or divine realms, depending on the karma gathered.

Key points:

• Reincarnation is a fundamental Jain belief.
• The aim is to purify the soul by right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct (the three jewels or ratnatraya) and by practicing austerities and ethical discipline.
• Both Digambara and Śvetāmbara traditions affirm rebirth, though there are some doctrinal differences between them.
• Liberation occurs when all karma is burned away, resulting in an infinite, perfect knowledge-free of further rebirths.

If you’d like, I can share a simple teaching or verse from Jain scriptures that expresses this idea.