The mahavratas, or five “great vows,” are undertaken for life only by ascetics and include vows of noninjury, abstention from lying and stealing, chastity, and renunciation of all possessions. The laity, however, is not expected to observe these vows strictly.
Jains take five main vows: ahiṃsā (non-violence), satya (truth), asteya (not stealing), brahmacharya (sexual continence), and aparigraha (non-possessiveness). These principles have affected Jain culture in many ways, such as leading to a predominantly vegetarian lifestyle.
Jainism is somewhat similar to Buddhism, of which it was an important rival in India. It was founded by Vardhamana Jnatiputra or Nataputta Mahavira (599-527 BC), called Jina (Spiritual Conqueror), a contemporary of Buddha.
They are (i) ahiṃsā, the avoidance of killing any life-form; (ii) satya, speaking and thinking the truth, and avoiding lies; (iii) asteya, not taking what is not given; (iv) brahmacharya, renunciation of all sexual activity, including any kind of contact with women; (v) aparigraha, detachment from all objects of the …
Lord Mahavira taught five vows of Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing physically as well as ideologically), Brahmacharya (celibacy) & Aparigraha (non-attachment) to his followers to spread the message of spiritual liberation to attain Nirvana.
Truth – Satya. Non-stealing – Achaurya or Asteya. Celibacy/Chastity – Brahmacharya. Non-attachment/Non-possession – Aparigraha.
Bhadrabahu, c. 4th century BCE. Last acharya of undivided Jain sangha.