Short answer: Jainism aims to practice non-violence (ahimsa) toward all living beings. The dairy question is a nuanced issue, and different Jain traditions handle it differently.

Key points to understand:

• Non-violence is the core principle. Jains try to minimize harm to all beings, including cows and calves.
• Dairy today often involves practices that can harm animals (calves separated from mothers, exploitation on some farms, etc.). This raises ethical concerns for many Jains.
• Some Jains choose to avoid dairy entirely (or reduce dairy) to align more closely with ahimsa. This is more common among certain communities and in modern Jain activism that advocates humane, cruelty-free farming or dairy-free diets.
• Others continue to consume dairy as part of their tradition, arguing that dairy can be produced without killing animals, and that it supports a wide community practice. They may seek out farms with humane treatment and no forced insemination, minimizing harm as much as possible.
• There are differences between Digambar and Shwetambar traditions:

- Shwetambar communities are more likely to include dairy in their regular lacto-vegetarian meals, though many individuals still choose dairy-free options. - Digambar communities tend to be stricter about non-violence and may emphasize dairy-free living more strongly, especially in contemporary practice and reform movements.

• The underlying spirit of Jain practice is to reduce harm, cultivate compassion, and follow vows (like ahimsa, satya, ahiṃsā in daily life, and the stricter vows of monks and nuns). Many Jains today interpret this as a call to adopt dairy-free or cruelty-free lifestyles, while others balance tradition with ongoing efforts to improve farming practices.

Practical takeaway:

• If you’re exploring this from a Jain perspective, you’ll find a spectrum: some choose dairy-free, some use humane dairy, and some use plant-based alternatives. The common thread is to seek ways to minimize harm and align daily choices with ahimsa.

Note: If you’re looking for authoritative Jain texts or discussions specifically about dairy and ahimsa, I can summarize that from canonical sources or refer you to traditional commentary.