In Jain Dharma, tapa means voluntary austerity done with right intention for आत्मशुद्धि (purification of the soul).

So, simply tolerating pain without medication is not automatically tapa.

Important distinction:

• If a person chooses a disciplined austerity, with samyak bhav and without attachment, that can be tapa.
• But if someone has illness or serious pain, then needlessly refusing medicine is not considered true tapa.
• Jainism supports right discretion: take care of the body as a સાધન for dharma, without attachment.

In simple words:

• Enduring pain by force or pride = not necessarily tapa.
• Voluntary self-restraint for spiritual purification = tapa.
• Rejecting medicine despite need = not a superior Jain practice.

True tapa should increase:

• equanimity
• non-attachment
• self-control
• inner purity

Not:

• stubbornness
• ego
• body-neglect

So, tolerating pain without medication can be part of tapa only if it is done knowingly, voluntarily, and with spiritual purpose; otherwise, it is not considered real tapa in Jainism.