The five vows taken by ascetics. Monks and nuns must follow these ‘absolute’ vows of:

• non-violence – ahiṃsā
• truth – satya
• taking only what is given – asteya
• celibacy – brahmacarya
• non-attachment or non-possession – aparigraha.

The 24th Jina Mahāvīra added a fifth vow to his predecessor Pārśva’s four, making the vow of celibacy not just implicit but a separate vow.