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.
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