Is Tea allowed in Ayambil?
In proper Ayambil, tea is not allowed.
Ayambil means:
- Only one very simple, bland meal in the day
- Generally no milk or milk products
- No ghee/oil
- No sugar/sweets
- Very limited or no spices
- No stimulants like tea / coffee / chocolate
Tea usually has:
- Taste (rasa) and stimulation (it excites the mind)
- Often milk and/or sugar
Both Śvetāmbara and Digambar traditions follow the same main idea: Ayambil is nirāsa / almost tasteless, non‑indulgent food. So tea is normally avoided. If someone has health issues, they should speak to their guru/pravachankar and take a proper pachchakkhān (vow with conditions).