Traditional Jain classification of food
In Jain tradition, food is commonly classified into four types of āhāra:
- Khādya — food that is chewed
- Example: roti, rice, fruits, dry snacks
- Svādya — food that is sucked
- Example: sugarcane, some fruits
- Lehya — food that is licked
- Example: pickles, chutney, honey-like substances
- Peya — food that is drunk
- Example: water, milk, juice, soup
Jain scriptures also discuss food from the point of ahiṃsā and purity, such as:
- Sacitta — containing life/bodily vitality, generally avoided
- Acitta — lifeless or properly prepared, acceptable
- Trasa — moving living beings, avoided
- Sthāvara — immobile living beings, also to be carefully avoided in harmful form
In practical Jain dietary conduct, food is judged not only by category, but also by:
- harm to living beings,
- freshness and purity,
- time of preparation,
- and whether it is suitable for vows and practices.
If you want, I can also give the Jain classification of food for lay followers and sadhus separately.