In many contemporary settings, Jain life revolves around daily religious observances that translate ancient ideals into regular habits. Devotees commonly engage in morning and evening worship at home shrines or temples, reciting mantras such as the Namokar Mantra, performing pūjā and āratī, and listening to sermons. Practices of meditation and reflection, including sāmāyika and pratikramaṇa, are used to cultivate equanimity and acknowledge one’s ethical lapses. Fasting, both on specific days and during festival periods, remains a central form of tapas, ranging from partial fasts to more extended austerities. These observances are complemented by scriptural study, often undertaken in organized classes, which helps practitioners understand the philosophical foundations of their rituals and vows.

Ethical discipline is where Jain principles most visibly shape modern conduct. Ahimsa is expressed through strict vegetarianism, often extending to the avoidance of eggs and many root vegetables, and through careful preparation of food and water to minimize harm to living beings. Many also strive for honesty in speech and business dealings, non‑stealing, marital fidelity, and a general attitude of compassion, which in turn supports philanthropy and charitable work. Aparigraha is interpreted as a conscious effort to limit possessions and consumption, even amid material prosperity, and to loosen attachment to status and wealth. The doctrine of anekantavada encourages openness to multiple viewpoints and discourages rigid dogmatism, providing a philosophical basis for tolerance in social and interfaith interactions.

The relationship between monastics and laypeople continues to structure Jain communities, though in differentiated ways. Monks and nuns maintain rigorous ascetic standards—minimal possessions, itinerant lifestyles, and intense fasting—while lay followers adopt moderated vows that can be integrated with family and professional responsibilities. Temples and community centers serve as hubs where these two paths intersect, hosting worship, scriptural discourses, youth education, and cultural programs. Festivals such as Paryushan or Das Lakshana and Mahavir Jayanti bring the community together for intensified fasting, confession, forgiveness, and devotional activities, reinforcing shared values across generations.

Jain engagement with the wider world often takes the form of organized compassion and ethical responsibility. Many communities support animal shelters, hospitals, schools, and other charitable institutions, seeing such service as a natural extension of non‑violence and generosity. Environmental concern is frequently framed as an expression of ahimsa, inspiring efforts toward more careful, restrained patterns of consumption. In professional life, there is a strong emphasis on conducting business and other occupations in ways that minimize harm and uphold integrity, even within competitive economic environments. Through these various adaptations, the ancient quest for self‑purification and liberation is pursued not by withdrawing entirely from modern life, but by infusing its ordinary activities with disciplined awareness and reverence for all living beings.