Answered by Dev Shah on Instagram : Ahimsa Parmo Dharma

If unavoidable a layperson (Shravaka and Shravika) may. Violence is bad because of the effect on the victim, but particularly bad for the passions it creates in the perpetrator. But as far as monks and nuns are concerned even self-defense is totally forbidden.

Does that mean that a Jain will defend himself from violent attacks?

Yes. The fundamental principle of Jainism is Ahimsa or nonviolence towards all living things however insignificant to our eyes. To a true Jain, violence in thought and speech is as bad as physical violence.