Do Jains consume tea or coffee? Can you cite your sources?
Short answer: Jains generally avoid tea and coffee. This is because they are stimulants and can involve small-life forms in processing, which conflicts with ahimsa (non-violence) and mind-purity. There are variations by tradition and individual vows, but the devout and many communities discourage these beverages, especially during fasting or austerity periods. Digambar and Śvetāmbār traditions both emphasize self-control and non-violence, and many teachers advise avoiding tea/coffee as part of a mindful, disciplined lifestyle. For some, practice may be stricter during vrat or in certain communities; for others, it may be a personal choice.