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  • Traditional Jain classification of food
  • author Posted by
    Jain Follower

    Traditional Jain classification of food

    3 months ago 56

    In Jain tradition, food is commonly classified into four types of āhāra:

    1. Khādya — food that is chewed

    - Example: roti, rice, fruits, dry snacks

    1. Svādya — food that is sucked

    - Example: sugarcane, some fruits

    1. Lehya — food that is licked

    - Example: pickles, chutney, honey-like substances

    1. 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.

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