‘Another Step In The Evolution’: AI Changing The Interpretation Of Jainism
NEW DELHI — For centuries, Jainism has been deeply rooted in textual study and oral traditions, with monks and scholars preserving its intricate philosophies through painstaking interpretation of scriptures. Today, artificial intelligence is offering a new way to access these ancient texts, sparking both excitement and controversy within the community.
At the center of this transformation is JainGPT, an AI-powered chatbot that allows users to search and engage with Jain scriptures in a conversational manner. Created by Anish Visaria, a U.S.-based engineer, and also the director of innovation at Jain eLibrary, JainGPT and its predecessor JainQQ are leveraging AI to make religious knowledge more accessible, particularly for younger generations.
However, as these tools gain traction, they also raise important questions about religious authority, interpretation, and the role of technology in shaping such an ancient faith.
Visaria’s journey into AI-driven Jain research began with JainQQ, a search engine built in 2020 that indexed scanned books from Jain eLibrary, a massive repository of Jain texts founded in 2010. Seeing the rise of large language models in 2023, Visaria developed JainGPT, a natural evolution of his earlier work. While JainQQ functions as a high-traffic search engine, JainGPT builds upon its database to offer a more interactive experience, allowing users to ask natural language questions about Jain philosophy, scriptures, and traditions.
“Technology allows easy access to information that would otherwise require hours of expertise to find,” Visaria said. “Faith in religion has declined due to various reasons, and it is important to let individuals seek answers without imposing a singular view on them.”
Although JainGPT is still in its early stages, its influence is already apparent. Users, especially younger individuals, turn to the tool to enhance their understanding of Jain principles. Usage spikes during major festivals like Paryushana, a sacred period of fasting and spiritual reflection. JainGPT not only simplifies access to scriptures but also helps users uncover deeper meanings behind religious concepts, making it a valuable resource for both practitioners and researchers.
Personal connection to faith
Jainism is an Indian religion, dating back hundreds of years before the birth of Christ, emphasizing non-violence (ahimsa) and spiritual liberation through self-discipline and minimizing harm to all living beings, including animals and plants.
For users like Aditya Jain and Ankur Jain, JainGPT has become a crucial companion in their religious explorations. Aditya, a devoted user, finds that the AI tool helps clarify complex ideas while reading Jain texts.
“Whenever I am reading books, there are things that are unclear, and JainGPT always steps in. Scrolling through it has deepened my interest in the religion,” he said.
Ankur Jain, who organizes quiz competitions on Jainism, also finds immense value in the tool.
“Even during Paryushana Parv, where we fast for 10 days, I use JainGPT to prepare quiz questions and expand my knowledge of Jainism,” he said. “It’s a great way to test and grow my understanding.”
Such testimonials highlight how AI is not replacing religious study but rather augmenting it, enabling laypeople to engage with sacred texts in a way that was previously reserved for scholars and monks.
Controversies and challenges
Despite its growing popularity, AI-driven religious tools are not without controversy. Jainism, like many religions, has different sects with varying perspectives on scripture. The Murtipujak Shwetambar sect, for example, forbids laypeople from working on Agams (Jain canonical texts), while the Sthanakvasi and Terapanthi Shwetambar sects encourage it. The Digambar sect, on the other hand, does not even recognize the validity of the current Agams.
“We’ve faced pushback, especially regarding the publishing of Jain Shwetambar Agams,” Visaria added. “Some sects see it as inappropriate for laypeople to work on sacred texts. But we take the stance of publishing everything and letting individuals decide based on their own views.”
Beyond theological debates, JainGPT also grapples with technological challenges. The current version functions primarily as a semantic search engine rather than a fully interactive AI. However, Visaria said he plans to activate the large language model component soon, which would make responses more nuanced and intelligent. Additionally, improving multilingual capabilities is a priority, given that Jain scriptures exist in multiple languages, including Sanskrit, Prakrit, Hindi, Gujarati and English.
The future of Jainism
As more Jain scholars and practitioners engage with AI-powered tools, the conversation will likely continue — blending the old with the new in a way that mirrors the very essence of religious progress. Whether as a study aid, a scholarly resource or a spiritual guide, JainGPT represents both the promise and the challenge of faith in the digital age.
As JainGPT continues to evolve, its success could pave the way for similar AI-driven religious tools across other faiths. The digitization of sacred texts — like the Christian bible.ai — and AI-based interpretation could revolutionize the way religious knowledge is preserved, accessed and shared.
While traditionalists may view AI as a disruption, supporters see it as a means of keeping Jainism relevant in an increasingly digital world.
“Jainism has always adapted over time,” Visaria said. “AI is just another step in its evolution.”
Rishabh Jain is an independent journalist based in Delhi. Follow him on X at @ThisIsRjain.