Here are the basic daily practices that most Jain households follow, kept simple and practical:

• Live by non-violence (ahimsa) in thought, word, and action

- Eat a strict vegetarian diet; avoid root vegetables in some traditions; be careful with how food is prepared and served.

• Follow the five main vows (for laypeople, these are the Anuvratas)

- Non-violence (ahimsa) - Truth (satya) - Non-stealing (asteya) - Chastity or harmlessness (brahmacharya, interpreted as fidelity and harmless conduct) - Non-possessiveness (aparigraha)

• Daily prayers and devotion

- Namokar Mantra recitation or similar prayers to honor the Tirthankaras - Puja or devotional readings to express gratitude and seek guidance

• Regular quiet reflection and meditation

- Samayik: a guided 48-minute period of focused meditation and contemplation - Optional personal meditation or quiet reflection at other times

• Confession and self-purification

- Pratikraman: a daily or periodic act of reflecting on faults, apologizing to those harmed, and resolving to improve

• Study and learning

- Swadhyaya (scripture study) and listening to Jain teachings to strengthen understanding and conduct

• Ethical day-to-day conduct

- Truthful speech, careful use of resources, avoiding harm to living beings in activities like travel, farming, or work

• Cleanliness and mindful living

- Personal hygiene, clean clothing, and mindful handling of food and utensils

• Community and festival observances

- Participation in community events, visiting temples or congregations on important Jain days

• Special fasting or austerities (occasional)

- Fasting or partial fasting on certain days or festivals, as personal capacity allows

• Modest living and non-attachment

- Simplified lifestyle, avoiding unnecessary possessions and luxury

Notes on differences:

• Digambar and Shwetambar traditions share the same core daily practices (ahimsa, truth, non-stealing, chastity, non-possessiveness, samayik, pratikraman, devotion). The ways some practices are observed (texts read, exact rules about clothing and monastic rules, and emphasis in certain rituals) can differ between the two traditions. If you’d like, I can outline a concise comparison of daily routines for Digambar vs. Shwetambar households.

You can read more about these kinds of daily practices in a Jain-focused resource here: