Every Jain ascetic’s life pivots around the Kalpa Sūtra’s detailed prescription of vows and disciplinary measures. At its heart lie the Five Great Vows (Mahāvratas), a code that demands absolute commitment:

1. Ahimsā (Non-violence)
   – No harm to any living being, whether it’s a mosquito or a mammoth.
2. Satya (Truthfulness)
   – Words aligned with reality, steering clear of half-truths and white lies.
3. Asteya (Non-stealing)
   – Respect for others’ property, big or small.
4. Brahmacharya (Celibacy)
   – Complete restraint of passions, channeling energy into spiritual growth.
5. Aparigraha (Non-possession)
   – Owning only what’s strictly necessary, a principle that resonates with today’s zero-waste and minimalism movements.

Beyond these anchor vows, the Sutra prescribes a suite of supportive rules:

• Five Samitis (Careful Conduct)
– Iryā (steps), Bhāṣā (speech), Eśana (asking permission before taking), Ādāna-Nikkhepana (placing or withdrawing objects carefully) and Utsarga (control over excretion and bodily functions).

• Three Guṇa Vratas (Restraint Vows)
– Digvrata (restricted travel), Bhogopabhoga-parimāṇa (limits on consumables) and Anartha-danda-parimāṇa (avoiding purposeless activities).

• Four Śikṣā Vratas (Discipline Vows)
– Includes fasting patterns (like the day-long fasts during Paryuṣaṇ), regular confession of faults, and strict adherence to designated places of residence and study.

On top of these, specific regulations cover dawn-to-dusk food intake, sweeping the path to avoid accidental harm, hair-plucking rituals, seasonal migrations (Chauvihar), and conduct during festivals. The Kalpa Sūtra even charts the proper way to beg for alms—underscoring humility and gratitude every step of the way.

In a world increasingly buzzed by noise and consumption, these ancient guidelines still shine a light on living lightly—walking the talk of mindfulness, compassion, and self-restraint.