Jains believe that animals and plants, as well as human beings, contain

living souls. Each of these souls is considered of equal value and should be
treated with respect and compassion.
Strict vegetarians live in a way that minimises their use of the world's
resources
Believe in reincarnation and seek to attain ultimate liberation - which
means escaping the continuous cycle of birth, death and rebirth so that the
immortal soul lives for ever in a state of bliss.
Liberation is achieved by eliminating all karma from the soul.
Jainism is a religion of self-help.
There are no gods or spiritual beings that will help human beings.
The three guiding principles of Jainism, the 3 jewels are right belief, right
knowledge and right conduct.
The supreme principle of Jain living is non-violence (Ahimsa)
Mahavira is regarded as the man who gave Jainism its present-day form.
Jainism has no priests. Its professional religious people are monks and
nuns, who lead strict and ascetic lives.
Most Jains live in India, and according to the 2001 Census of India there
are around 4.2 million living there. However, the Oxford Handbook of
Global Religions, published in 2006, suggests that census figures may
provide lower than the true number of followers as many Jains identify
themselves as Hindu. The Handbook also states that there are around
25,000 Jains in Britain.
Fasting is very common in Jain spirituality no food, only boiled water:
Some Jain monks fast for months at a time, following the example of
Mahavira, who is said to have fasted for over 6 months. Even today there
are Jains who fast for over six months like Hira Ratan Manek. Others have
fasted for an year like Sri Sahaj Muni Maharaj who completed his recordbreaking 365-day fast on May 1, 1998.

The lay Jains life code

Lay Jains are expected to follow a code of conduct

Stricter than that of many faiths
Jain monks and nuns live according to a more rigorous code
Very few modern Jains follow the letter of the rules, as it would be very
difficult to do so, but they do follow the spirit of the code
Modern Jains respect animals and the environment and eat a diet that
encourages this

They should avoid work which intentionally violates the rules below
They work hard to do things with the right mind-set and spiritual intention
They do all of this gladly, believing that right conduct is the best religion

12 VOWS TAKEN BY LAY JAINS

The 5 Anuvratas (the Lesser or Limited Vows)
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Non-violence (Ahimsa)
Jains must do their best to avoid any intentional hurt to living
things - in daily life harm can be minimized by filtering drinking water, not
eating at night, and so on. Intentional hurt includes cases of avoidable
negligence.
Jains must be vegetarians.
Jains may use violence in self-defence.
If a Jain's work unavoidably causes harm (e.g. farming) they
should try to minimize the harm and maintain complete detachment.
Truthfulness (Satya)
Jains must always be truthful.
Jains must always conduct business honestly.
Dishonesty by not doing something is as bad as being actively
dishonest.
Non-stealing (Achaurya or Asteya)
Jains must not steal.
Jains must not cheat.
Jains must not avoid paying tax.
Chastity (Bramacharya)
Jains must have sex only with the person they are married to.
Jains must avoid sexual indulgence even with that person.
Jains must give up sex, if possible, after the marriage has yielded a
child.
Non-possession (Aparigraha)
Jains must only possess what they need.
Jains must use surplus possessions to benefit others.
Jains must live simply.
Jains must not use too many resources.

The 3 Gunavratas (Subsidiary Vows)

6.

7.

8.

Limited area of activity (Dik Vrata)

By this vow a lay Jain restricts the extent to which they travel, so
as to reduce the area in which they may do harm.
Limited use of resources (Bhoga-Upbhoga Vrata)
Jains should limit their use of things like food and clothing
according to what they need.
Avoidance of pointless sins (Anartha-Danda Vrata)
Thinking or speaking badly of other people.
Being inconsiderate (and not just to people).
Being self-indulgent.
Reading, watching or listening to immoral material.

The 4 Siksavratas (Vows of Instruction or Discipline)

9.

Meditation vow (Samayik Vrata)

Jains should carry out sitting meditation in one place for 48
minutes each day.
10.
Limited duration of activity vow (Desavakasika)

Jains should restrict certain activities to specific times.

11.
Limited ascetic's life vow (Pausadha Vrata)

Jains should regularly adopt the life of a monk for a day.

12.
Limited charity vow (Siksa Vrata)

Jains should give to monks, nuns and the poor.