The Five Vows of Jainism

1] The Vow of the Noninjury of Life (Ahimsa)

When it comes to nonviolence, the Jains taught the wrongness of killing of any life form and undertook this vow for the rest of their lives. Mahavira taught that it is “sinful” to act badly toward animals; a “wise man” should not act sinfully toward animals, nor even cause or allow others to do so.

The ascetic must also get hold of her own mind and speech, for these may be agents of violence. Further directions concern how an ascetic is to put down her alms bowl and how she must inspect all food and drink to ensure there are no life forms in it.

The non injury of other life forms is perhaps best known among all Jain traits. Jains are vegetarians, and they will not own leather goods, since these require the killing of animals. They go to such extremes with vegetarianism that they will not even eat from pans in which meat has been cooked. They follow Mahavira's example of sweeping a path before them to avoid stepping on insects. 

The Jain principle of ahimsa, or noninjury of all living things, has been embraced by non-Jains, too. Ordinary citizens in and out of India have embraced the Jain principles of noninjury.In short, he who understands the nature of sin in respect to all six types of living beings is called a true sage who understands karma.

2] The Vow Not to Speak Untruth

Jains are widely respected for their truthfulness. The second Great Vow says an ascetic must abstain from lying. The realization here is that she must be deliberate in her speech and not given to anger, greed, fear, or mirth.

Philosophically, the Jains are relativists; they allow that there are truths in the doctrines of other philosophies. Truth here is relative to their perspectives and positions. Human knowledge, then, is likely to be misleading. Despite this position about the relativity of truth, it is speaking what you know to be false that breaks the vow of the Jains.

3] The Vow Not to Steal

The third of the great vows says that an ascetic should not take what has not been given. Jain monks are forbidden from taking anything that doesn't belong to them. Like their observance of the second vow, this one aids and abets their reputation for honesty.

4] The Vow to Renounce Sexual Pleasures

This Great Vow states that an ascetic must renounce all sexual activity. Since asceticism has always viewed the pleasures of the flesh as evil, and since sex is one of the greatest pleasures of the flesh, it must be forsaken.

The vow to renounce sexual pleasures denounced any contact, mental or physical, with women, or eating or drinking anything likely to stimulate the sexual drive. Mahavira did not only renounce sexual pleasures, he renounced women for good. His renunciation of all external pleasures and things was due to the admonition that,“Women are the greatest temptation in the world.”

5] The Vow to Renounce all Attachments

The fifth Great Vow counsels the renunciation of any attachment to objects of the senses. This1] The Vow of the Noninjury of Life (Ahimsa)

When it comes to nonviolence, the Jains taught the wrongness of killing of any life form and undertook this vow for the rest of their lives. Mahavira taught that it is “sinful” to act badly toward animals; a “wise man” should not act sinfully toward animals, nor even cause or allow others to do so.

The ascetic must also get hold of her own mind and speech, for these may be agents of violence. Further directions concern how an ascetic is to put down her alms bowl and how she must inspect all food and drink to ensure there are no life forms in it.

The non injury of other life forms is perhaps best known among all Jain traits. Jains are vegetarians, and they will not own leather goods, since these require the killing of animals. They go to such extremes with vegetarianism that they will not even eat from pans in which meat has been cooked. They follow Mahavira's example of sweeping a path before them to avoid stepping on insects. 

The Jain principle of ahimsa, or noninjury of all living things, has been embraced by non-Jains, too. Ordinary citizens in and out of India have embraced the Jain principles of noninjury.In short, he who understands the nature of sin in respect to all six types of living beings is called a true sage who understands karma.

2] The Vow Not to Speak Untruth

Jains are widely respected for their truthfulness. The second Great Vow says an ascetic must abstain from lying. The realization here is that she must be deliberate in her speech and not given to anger, greed, fear, or mirth.

Philosophically, the Jains are relativists; they allow that there are truths in the doctrines of other philosophies. Truth here is relative to their perspectives and positions. Human knowledge, then, is likely to be misleading. Despite this position about the relativity of truth, it is speaking what you know to be false that breaks the vow of the Jains.

3] The Vow Not to Steal

The third of the great vows says that an ascetic should not take what has not been given. Jain monks are forbidden from taking anything that doesn't belong to them. Like their observance of the second vow, this one aids and abets their reputation for honesty.

4] The Vow to Renounce Sexual Pleasures

This Great Vow states that an ascetic must renounce all sexual activity. Since asceticism has always viewed the pleasures of the flesh as evil, and since sex is one of the greatest pleasures of the flesh, it must be forsaken.

The vow to renounce sexual pleasures denounced any contact, mental or physical, with women, or eating or drinking anything likely to stimulate the sexual drive. Mahavira did not only renounce sexual pleasures, he renounced women for good. His renunciation of all external pleasures and things was due to the admonition that,“Women are the greatest temptation in the world.”

5] The Vow to Renounce all Attachments

The fifth Great Vow counsels the renunciation of any attachment to objects of the senses. This refers to possessions in general. Of all the things that bind human beings to this life, the love for other persons and things is among the strongest bonds. Thus, Mahavira left behind his family and possessions and didn't remain in one place for more than a day, lest he form attachments to people and things. At the age of thirty-two, he became a wandering monk, at which point the sky glowed like a lake covered in lotus flowers. A sixth vow was later added to the list of five.

5[a] No Eating after Dark

The first appearance of this vow describes it as a supplement to the Great Vows. In reality, it is but a subdivision of the first Great Vow of nonviolence. The apparent reason for prohibiting eating at night is that ascetics cannot go out and seek alms at night, since this activity would involve trampling upon small life forms. In addition, cooking of food by the laity would attract insects, which would be drawn into the flames. According to popular belief, the proper digestion of food can only take place in sunlight.

 refers to possessions in general. Of all the things that bind human beings to this life, the love for other persons and things is among the strongest bonds. Thus, Mahavira left behind his family and possessions and didn't remain in one place for more than a day, lest he form attachments to people and things. At the age of thirty-two, he became a wandering monk, at which point the sky glowed like a lake covered in lotus flowers. A sixth vow was later added to the list of five.

5[a] No Eating after Dark

The first appearance of this vow describes it as a supplement to the Great Vows. In reality, it is but a subdivision of the first Great Vow of nonviolence. The apparent reason for prohibiting eating at night is that ascetics cannot go out and seek alms at night, since this activity would involve trampling upon small life forms. In addition, cooking of food by the laity would attract insects, which would be drawn into the flames. According to popular belief, the proper digestion of food can only take place in sunlight.