Vows
Jain Five Great Vows
Five vows of nonviolence, truthfulness, non-stealing, sexual restraint and non-possession.
- Tradition or school
- Jainism
- Framework type
- Vows
- Authority classification
- Canonical
- Observance
- Mixed requirements
- Research status
- Published and reviewed
- Origin period
- Ancient Jain tradition
- Origin region
- Indian subcontinent
- Attributed origin
- Associated especially with Mahavira and the Jain ascetic tradition
- Intended audience
- Observed absolutely by ascetics and in limited forms by lay Jains
- Published constituent items
- 5
- Last reviewed
- 28 June 2026
Primary texts and authority
The vows appear across Jain canonical, philosophical and conduct literature.
Rules, principles or steps
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Ahimsa — Nonviolence
Avoid injury to living beings in thought, speech and action, directly or through participation.
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Satya — Truthfulness
Avoid falsehood while recognising that speech should not be used to produce avoidable harm.
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Asteya — Non-Stealing
Do not take what has not been given or gain through unjust appropriation.
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Brahmacharya — Celibacy or Sexual Restraint
Ascetics undertake celibacy; lay followers undertake limited sexual restraint and fidelity.
-
Aparigraha — Non-Possession
Limit or renounce possessions and attachment to material accumulation.
Historical development
The same five principles are traditionally observed as mahavratas by ascetics and as less absolute anuvratas by householders.
Variations
Digambara and Svetambara communities differ over some ascetic requirements and practical interpretations.
Traditional interpretation
Ahimsa is often treated as the organising centre of the other vows because falsehood, theft, sexual misuse and possessiveness can cause or support harm.
Controversies and disputes
Questions arise over unavoidable harm, agriculture, employment, medicine, self-defence and extreme asceticism.
Truth By Reason analysis
The vows constitute one of the most demanding historical systems of harm reduction, while their strictest forms may be impractical or ethically conflicting outside voluntary ascetic life.
Ethical themes
Explanations, comparisons and discussions
Ethical analysis
Are Ancient Moral Codes Still Valid Today?
How ancient ethical teachings should be preserved, interpreted, criticised, revised or rejected in modern societies.
Comparison
Commandments, Precepts, Vows and Virtues: What Is the Difference?
A comparison of rule-based, commitment-based and character-based ethical systems.
Comparison
Environmental Duties Across Ethical Traditions
How non-harm, restraint, compassion and responsibility can be applied to ecosystems, animals and future generations.
Comparison
How Ethical Traditions Treat Animals
A comparison of non-killing, non-injury, animal rest and the moral limits of human use of animals.
Explanation
How Truth By Reason Evaluates Ethical Codes
The method used to separate historical description, authority claims and independent ethical analysis.
Comparison
Religious Duties, Virtues and Universal Ethics
Which parts of religious and philosophical codes may support universal ethics, and which depend on specific belief.
Comparison
Sexual Ethics Across Religious and Philosophical Traditions
A comparison of adultery, misconduct, celibacy, restraint, consent, fidelity and exploitation.
Ethical analysis
War, Defence and Nonviolence
How commitments to non-killing and non-injury confront aggression, defence, war and protection of vulnerable people.
Comparison
Wealth, Charity and Poverty
What ethical codes say about property, generosity, non-possession, honest work, poverty and economic justice.
Comparison
What Do the World's Ethical Codes Agree On?
A comparison of recurring moral principles found across religious and philosophical traditions.
Explanation
What Is an Ethical Code or Path?
Why commandments, vows, virtues, practices and paths belong in one comparative catalogue without being treated as identical.
Comparison
Where Do Ethical Codes Disagree?
The major disagreements hidden by claims that all ethical traditions teach the same morality.
Comparison
Nonviolence Across Buddhism, Jainism and Yoga
How related traditions interpret non-killing, non-injury and responsibility for indirect harm.
Comparison
Truthfulness Across Ethical Traditions
A comparison of false speech, truthful testimony, trustworthiness and morally responsible communication.
Sources
- Importance Assigned to Five Vratas Commentary / interpretation