Bal Diksha (बाल दीक्षा) is the Jain practice of initiating a child into a monastic or religious life, not just a simple “bath.” In Jain tradition, Diksha is about taking vows and beginning the path of renunciation, study, and ethical discipline. When it is done for a child, it is usually a formal, voluntary step with the parents’ consent and under the guidance of a qualified Jain teacher or guru. Full, irreversible monastic ordination (for a grown seeker) is a later step that requires maturity and understanding of the vows.

Key points to know:

• Purpose: to begin the child’s spiritual education and renunciation path in a way appropriate to their age, with ongoing guidance.
• Vows and practices: even for a child, Diksha involves vow-taking and learning about right conduct, non-violence, truth, and other Jain principles; the exact vows can differ between traditions.
• Traditions: there are differences in how Digambar and Śvetāmbara lineages describe and administer Diksha, including who may initiate, what robes or signs are used, and how the upbringing of the child is managed. The core aim remains renunciation, self-discipline, and spiritual growth.
• Controversy: in modern times, Bal Diksha has been debated legally and ethically in various places. Some communities defend it as a long-standing religious practice; others argue for stricter protection of children’s rights. It is a contemporary issue with differing legal and community opinions.

If you want, I can explain the distinctions between Digambar and Śvetāmbara practices more specifically, or describe how a typical Bal Diksha ceremony is conducted in a traditional Jain temple.

You can read more here