In Jainism, life (jīva) is defined as the presence of a soul (ātman) with consciousness. All living beings—humans, animals, plants, and even microscopic organisms—possess a soul and, therefore, are considered to have life. Jain philosophy classifies living beings based on the number of senses they possess, ranging from one-sensed beings (like plants and earth-bodied organisms) to five-sensed beings (like humans and animals).

The core belief is that the soul is eternal, formless, and inherently pure, but it is bound by karma due to its actions (thoughts, words, and deeds). The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (saṃsāra) continues until the soul attains liberation (moksha) by shedding all karmic bonds through right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.

Respect for all forms of life is a central tenet of Jainism, leading to the principle of ahiṃsā (non-violence) in thought, word, and action. Jains strive to minimize harm to any living being, recognizing the sacredness and equality of all life forms.