See Also: Jaina vrata(encyclopedia)

Jaina vrata (sh)




In Jainism, any of the vows taken by monks, nuns, and lay members.

The first five are the mahavratas, or "great vows": nonviolence, truthfulness, not stealing, sexual purity, and renunciation of possessions. These are interpreted more moderately for lay members than for monks; for example, lay members need only remain sexually faithful to their spouses, while monks must practice celibacy. The remaining vows are designed to help in keeping the first five. The final vow is the promise to die in meditation during self-starvation when observance of the other vows is no longer possible.