Right livelihoodDraft overviewLivelihoodIn Jain thought, **livelihood** (ājīva or jīvana-vṛtti) is a central component of lay ethics and is framed within the broader discipline of right conduct (samyak-cāritra). Livelihood is not merely an economic activity bu… (samyak‑ājīva or sammā‑ājīva) is one of the core components of the Jain ethical framework for both ascetics and laypeople. In Jainism, livelihood is inseparable from the broader commitment to ahiṃsā (non‑violence), satyaDraft overviewSatyaSatya, commonly translated as “truthfulness,” is one of the five fundamental vows (pañca‑vrata) in Jain ethics and a core virtue shaping both monastic and lay conduct. In Jain thought, satya is not merely factual accurac… (truthfulness), and aparigrahaDraft overviewAparigrahaAparigraha, usually translated as non-attachment or non-possession, is one of the central ethical and spiritual principles of Jainism. It appears both as a major vow (mahāvrata) for ascetics and as a minor or limited vow… (non‑possessiveness). The term appears across Śvetāmbara and Digambara canonical and post‑canonical literature, where it is treated not merely as an economic guideline but as a spiritual discipline shaping karmic inflow (āsrava) and restraint (saṃvara).
For mendicants, right livelihoodDraft overviewLivelihoodIn Jain thought, **livelihood** (ājīva or jīvana-vṛtti) is a central component of lay ethics and is framed within the broader discipline of right conduct (samyak-cāritra). Livelihood is not merely an economic activity bu… is defined in highly restrictive terms: they must not engage in any form of trade, ownership, or economic activity. Their livelihood is sustained through regulated almsDraft overviewAlmsIn Jain traditions, alms—commonly referred to through terms such as *gochari*, *bhiksha*, *āhāra-dāna*, and *dāna*—represent a structured, ethical exchange between laypeople (*śrāvakas* and *śrāvikās*) and mendicants (*m…, and the purity of this practice is governed by detailed rules in the Ācāra corpus. For householders, right livelihood is framed as ethical participation in society—earning wealth without causing direct or indirect harm to living beings, avoiding deceitDraft overviewDeceitIn Jain thought, **deceit (māyā)** is one of the four primary passions (kaṣāyas) that obstruct the soul’s innate luminosity and perpetuate bondage in saṃsāra. It is classified alongside anger (krodha), pride (māna), and …, and refraining from professions that inherently violate ahiṃsā.
Across traditions, right livelihoodDraft overviewLivelihoodIn Jain thought, **livelihood** (ājīva or jīvana-vṛtti) is a central component of lay ethics and is framed within the broader discipline of right conduct (samyak-cāritra). Livelihood is not merely an economic activity bu… is linked to karmic theory: professions involving violence, exploitation, or falsehood generate heavy paāp karma, while livelihoods grounded in honesty, minimal harm, and restraint support spiritual progress. Commentarial literature emphasizes that livelihood is not judged solely by the profession itself but also by intentionDraft overviewIntentionIn Jain thought, intention—often expressed through terms such as *bhāva*, *cetanā*, *yoga*, and *āśaya*—is a foundational category for understanding ethical action, karmic bondage, and spiritual progress. Across Digambar…, method, and the degree of harm caused. Modern Jain teachers extend the principle to contemporary contexts such as industrial production, environmental impact, and digital ethics, while maintaining continuity with canonical foundations.