In Jain dharm, “abhaksh” (अभक्ष्य) means a thing that is inherently not to be eaten at all – like meat, alcohol, honey, etc.

Butter (makkhan / navneeya) is a little different:

1. Normally for householders, butter is not abhaksh

- For most Shravak–Shravika (both Shwetambar and Digambar), milk, curd, butter, ghee etc. are traditionally allowed if taken with care (filtered, fresh, in daylight, limited quantity). - So in daily life, butter is counted as bhakshya (permitted), not as a permanent abhaksh like meat or alcohol.

1. Why, then, do some people call it “abhaksh”?

In many vrats (vows) and taps (austerities) – like Ayambil, Oli, Paushadh, some Chaturmas niyam, etc. – the rule is: - No milk, curd, butter, ghee, sweets, rich/oily foods. - In that specific fast, these items are treated “as if abhaksh” to increase simplicity and reduce attachment to taste. So people casually say “makkhan abhaksh hai” meaning “it is not allowed in this vrat”.

1. Butter in Nav Vigai / rich foods

Traditional Jain texts list Nav Vigai (nine rich items) like: - milk, curd, butter (navneeya), ghee, oil, jaggery/sugar, honey, alcohol, meat These are called “vigai” because: - they excite taste and passions, - they can involve more subtle himsa (fermentation, micro‑organisms, etc.), - they are not suitable for high levels of renunciation (monk rules, strong vows, special fasts). So in stricter practice, butter is avoided and spoken of almost like abhaksh.

1. Difference between ascetics and laypeople

- Munis / Aryikas: follow very strict rules; items like butter are generally not taken. - Lay Jains: may use butter in normal days, but avoid it in special fasts or by personal niyam.

So, in pure Jain-śāstra sense:

• Butter is not an absolute abhakshya like meat or alcohol,
• but it is a “vigai” / rich indulgent item, therefore prohibited in many vrats and higher sādhanā, and some people loosely call it “abhaksh” in those contexts.

For more on Nav Vigai and such items, you can read here: