Jainism's View on Veganism and Ahiṃsā

Jainism is fundamentally rooted in the principle of ahiṃsā (non-violence), which mandates minimizing harm to all living beings. This ethical stance leads Jains to adopt a vegetarian diet, avoiding meat, fish, and eggs, as these involve direct harm to animals. Many contemporary Jains extend this principle further by embracing veganism, avoiding dairy and other animal-derived products to prevent indirect harm and exploitation. Classical Jain scriptures emphasize strict vegetarianism and the avoidance of causing injury to sentient beings, but they do not explicitly mention veganism, which is a more recent dietary development. The focus remains on reducing violence (both direct and indirect) and practicing self-discipline. Thus, while veganism aligns well with Jain ethical ideals, it is not a doctrinal requirement but rather a logical extension of the principle of ahiṃsā in modern contexts.