Jainism Glossary: Definitions, Beliefs, Practices

India, Rajasthan, bas-relief on the frontage of a Jain temple in Jaisalmer — Daniele SCHNEIDER / Getty Images

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Updated on March 25, 2019

The following glossary includes definitions and explanations of common Jainism terms. Keep this list close at hand as you deepen your understanding of Jaina beliefs and practices.

Term	Definition
Adharmastikay	Medium of rest. One of the Six Universal Entities.
Ahimsa or Savvao Panaivayao Virman Vrat	Nonviolence. The cornerstone belief of Jainism is nonviolence in mind, body, and spirit.
Ajiva	Non-living matter. One of the Nine Tattvas.
Akas	Space. One of the Six Universal Entities.
Anartha-danda Vrata	Vow of avoidance of purposeless sins. Taken by non-monastic Jains. One of the three merit vows.
Anuvrata	Five main vows of non-monastic Jains. These vows include ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacharya, and aparigraha.
Aparigraha or Savvao Pariggrahao Virman Vrat	Vow of non-possessiveness and non-attachment. Taken by monastic and non-monastic Jains.
Asrava	Flow of karma. One of the Nine Tattvas.
Asteya, Achaurya, or Savvao Aadinnadanao Virman Vrat	Vow of non-stealing. Taken by monastic and non-monastic Jains.
Atithi Samvibhaga Vrata	Vow of charity. Taken by non-monastic Jains. One of the four disciplinary vows.
Bandh	Bondage by karma or darkness of the soul. One of the Nine Tattvas.
Bhoga	Consumable items that can be enjoyed more than once. Food and drink are both examples of bhoga.
Bhoga-Upbhoga Vrata	Vow of limited use of consumable and non-consumable items. Taken by non-monastic Jains. One of the three merit vows.
Brahmacharya or Savvao Mehunao Virman Vrat	Vow of celibacy or chastity. Taken by monastic and nonmonastic Jains.
Desavakasika Vrata	Vow of limited duration of activities. Taken by non-monastic Jains. One of the four disciplinary vows.
Dharmastikay	Medium of motion. One of the Six Universal Entities.
Digambaras	Meaning “Sky Clad” or “Space-Clad”. One of the two sects of Jainism. Beliefs include renunciation of all clothing and women must be reborn as men in order to achieve kevala.
Dik Vrata	Vow of limited area of activity. Taken by non-monastic Jains. One of the three merit vows.
Dvesha	Aversion
Gunavrata	Three merit vows. Part of the seven vows of virtuous conduct. Taken by non-monastic Jains, and they are intended to enhance the effect of the Anuvrata. They include Dik Vrata, Bhoga-Upbhoga Vrata, and Anartha-danda Vrata.
Jina	Meaning “Conqueror” or “Spiritual Conqueror.” The name given to Mahavira and the origin of Jaina religion name.
Jiva	Soul, living matter, or the essence of existence. One of the Nine Tattvas.
Kaal	Time. Also known as Samay. One of the Six Universal Entities.
Karma	Particles of darkness or bondage that obscure the light of the soul. They are attracted by acts of violence.
Kashay	Inner enemies
Kevala	A state of elevated or blissful existence, comparable to the Buddhist state of nirvana or the Hindi state of moksha. Once it is achieved, the spirit leaves the bonds of the physical body and the cycle of life and death. The spirit in kevala is liberated.
Krodh	Anger
Lobh	Greed
Maya	Deceit
Nataputta Mahavira or Vardhamana Jnatiputra	599 – 527 B.C. Establisher of Jaina and 24^th Tirthankara.
Nirjara	Destruction of karma. One of the Nine Tattvas.
Papa	Sin, bad deeds. One of the Nine Tattvas.
Pausadha Vrata	Vow of limited ascetic’s life. Taken by non-monastic Jains. One of the four disciplinary vows.
Pudgal	All matter. One of the Six Universal Entities.
Punya	Merit, good deeds. One of the Nine Tattvas.
Rag	Attachment
Samayik Vrata	Vow of limited meditation. Taken by non-monastic Jains. One of the four disciplinary vows.
Samyara	Impediment of the flow of karma. One of the Nine Tattvas.
Samyak Charitra	Right Conduct. The Third of the Three Jewels of Jainism.
Samyak Darshana	Right Perception. The first of the Three Jewels of Jainism.
Samyak Jnana	Right Knowledge. The second of the Three Jewels of Jainism.
Satya, or Savvao Musavayao Virman Vrat	Vow of truthfulness. Taken by monastic and non-monastic Jains.
Shikshavrata	Four disciplinary vows. Part of the seven vows of virtuous conduct. These vows are taken by non-monastic Jains, and they are intended to govern internal life and charity. They include Samayik Vrata, Desavakasika Vrata, Pausadha Vrata, and Atithi Samvibhaga Vrata.
Sravaka	Jains that are nonmembers of the monastic order. Also known as laity or householders.
Svetambaras	Meaning “White Clad.” Beliefs include: women have the ability to achieve kevala without being reborn as men; clothing does not need to be renounced to reach kevala.
Tirthankara	Teachers, Prophets, or Founders of the Path to kevala. There are 24 tirthankara, and Mahavira is known as the 24^th.
Upbhoga	Non-consumable items that can be enjoyed more than once; clothing, furniture, and decorations are considered upbhoga.
Yatis	Members of the Jain monastic order, monks or nuns. Also known as sadhus (monks) and sadhvis (nuns).

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Perkins, McKenzie. "Jainism Glossary: Definitions, Beliefs, Practices." Learn Religions, Aug. 28, 2020, learnreligions.com/glossary-of-jainism-definitions-beliefs-practices-4583999. Perkins, McKenzie. (2020, August 28). Jainism Glossary: Definitions, Beliefs, Practices. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/glossary-of-jainism-definitions-beliefs-practices-4583999 Perkins, McKenzie. "Jainism Glossary: Definitions, Beliefs, Practices." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/glossary-of-jainism-definitions-beliefs-practices-4583999 (accessed May 29, 2023).