In Jain Dharma, caste is not the basis of spiritual worth.

Jain view

• All souls are equal in their pure nature.
• A being’s karma, not birth, determines bondage and liberation.
• Moksha is possible for anyone through right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.
• Therefore, birth in a particular caste does not make one higher or lower in the spiritual sense.

Important Jain principle

Jain ethics emphasize:

• Ahimsa — non-violence
• Satya — truth
• Aparigraha — non-possessiveness
• Samyak Darshan, Samyak Jnana, Samyak Charitra — right faith, knowledge, conduct

These are the real measures of spiritual progress, not caste.

Social reality

In history, Jains have lived within the social systems of their times, so some Jain communities may have followed caste-like social identities. But the core Jain teaching does not accept caste as spiritually valid.

In short

Jain Dharma teaches equality of souls and rejects caste as a criterion of spiritual status.