The dietary discipline of Jains arises from the central spiritual principle of ahimsa, or non‑violence, which is applied with great rigor to every aspect of life. All living beings are regarded as possessing a soul, and animals, with their more developed senses and capacity for suffering, are seen as especially vulnerable to harm. Eating meat entails the deliberate killing of such beings and is therefore understood as a serious breach of non‑violence. A plant‑based diet, when practiced with care, is viewed as causing comparatively less injury and becomes a concrete expression of compassion toward all forms of life.

This concern for non‑violence is closely tied to Jain teachings on karma and liberation. Any act that harms another living being is believed to generate negative karma, which binds the soul and obstructs the path to moksha, or spiritual freedom. By refraining from meat, eggs, and other foods associated with killing or cruelty, Jains seek to minimize karmic accumulation and support the purification of both mind and character. Dietary restraint thus serves not merely as an ethical choice but as a deliberate spiritual practice aimed at self‑control, inner clarity, and gradual release from the cycle of rebirth.

Within this framework, many Jains extend their commitment beyond basic vegetarianism to more refined forms of dietary care. Some avoid root vegetables such as potatoes, onions, and carrots, because harvesting them destroys the entire plant and may disturb small organisms in the soil. Attention is also given to how food is grown, harvested, and prepared, with the intention of reducing harm even to small or unseen life. In this way, eating becomes a daily arena in which the vow of non‑violence is tested, refined, and embodied.

In recent times, a growing number of Jains have embraced veganism, recognizing that modern methods of dairy production often involve significant suffering and exploitation of animals. Since such practices conflict with the ideal of causing the least possible harm, abstaining from dairy is seen as a natural extension of ahimsa. Whether expressed as strict vegetarianism or as veganism, the Jain diet is ultimately a disciplined attempt to align ordinary, bodily nourishment with the highest aspiration of the tradition: liberation through self‑purification and unwavering compassion for all living beings.