Main jain principles

Jainism is founded on five fundamental ethical principles known as the Mahavratas for ascetics and Anuvratas for laypersons. These are: 1) Ahimsa (non-violence), which emphasizes harmlessness towards all living beings; 2) Satya (truthfulness), which requires speaking the truth without causing harm; 3) Asteya (non-stealing), which forbids taking anything not willingly given; 4) Brahmacharya (chastity), involving celibacy for monks and fidelity for householders; and 5) Aparigraha (non-possessiveness), which entails detachment from material and emotional possessions. These principles are integral to the path of liberation (moksha) and are practiced with varying strictness depending on one's spiritual status. They reflect the Jain commitment to minimizing karmic bondage by ethical conduct and self-discipline. The principles are also linked to the broader Jain doctrines of Jñānāvaraṇīya (knowledge-obscuring) and Ghātiyā (destructive) karmas, which are mitigated through adherence to these vows.