Jain view on veganism is actually very close and very natural, if we look at the core principle:

1. Basic Jain principle: Ahimsa first

• Jain Dharma says: avoid all possible himsa (violence) to every living being, especially 5‑sensed beings like cows, buffaloes, goats, birds, etc.
• Today, modern dairy, egg and animal industries clearly involve a lot of cruelty – separation of calves, slaughter, confinement, forced breeding, etc.
• So in principle, living vegan (no milk, ghee, curd, butter, cheese, honey, etc.) fits very strongly with Jain values of:

- Ahimsa (non‑violence) - Aparigraha (limiting consumption) - Karuna (compassion)

You can read more here and here

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2. Then why are most Jains not vegan?

Historically and practically, there are a few reasons:

(a) Traditional allowance of milk

• Old village setting: Cows lived with the family, were treated gently, calf was fed first, extra milk was taken.
• Shastra allowed milk for householders when it was believed to be taken without clear violence.
• So Jains became known as lacto‑vegetarian (vegetarian + milk products).

(b) Habit and culture

• For generations, milk, ghee, dahi, mithai, etc. have been part of:

- Daily food - Pooja, prasad, festival sweets

• So even when people agree that modern dairy is violent, it is hard to change long‑standing habits quickly.

(c) Lack of awareness (earlier)

• 50–100 years ago, most people did not know how badly animals are treated in big dairies.
• Many Jains honestly believed: “Milk is harmless; cow is like our mother.”
• Only in recent decades has detailed information about cruelty become widely known.

(d) Practical and social reasons

• In many Jain homes and communities:

- Almost all traditional dishes use dairy. - Social functions (weddings, chaityaparipati, sangh programs) are planned as vegetarian with dairy, not vegan.

• Shifting a whole community standard takes time, education and good alternatives.

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3. What is happening now?

• Many Jain munis/sadhvijis (both Digambar and Shwetāmbara) now avoid milk and dairy because of the actual himsa involved.
• A growing number of lay Jains are:

- Fully vegan, or - At least reducing dairy (no milk at home, no ghee, etc.).

• The clear direction of serious ahimsa‑based thinking today is:

> “If I know dairy causes violence, I should avoid it as far as I can.”

You can read more on the question of milk here and here

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4. Digambar vs Shwetambar view (short)

• Both traditions:

- Agree fully on ahimsa as the highest principle. - Traditionally allowed milk when no himsa was assumed.

• Today in both traditions:

- Many teachers and serious practitioners increasingly say: - Modern dairy = clear himsa - So veganism is closer to true Jain practice in the present time.

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5. Simple summary

• Original Jain ideal: Minimize himsa to all beings.
• Veganism fits that ideal very well, especially in today’s world.
• Why most Jains are not vegan yet: tradition of milk use, habit, culture, slow awareness, and social/practical challenges.
• But the more a Jain takes ahimsa seriously and understands modern animal suffering, the more naturally they move toward vegan choices.