Answer

Yes, in many Jain household traditions, a Jain may drink buffalo milk and eat yogurt made from buffalo milk, provided it is obtained without cruelty and is not taken at night according to common Jain food discipline.

However, some Jains avoid dairy completely because modern dairy practices often involve himsa toward animals.

Explanation

In traditional Jain practice:

• Milk, curd/yogurt, ghee, and buttermilk have generally been accepted as usable foods.
• This includes milk from cows or buffaloes, depending on local custom.
• But Jain Dharma strongly emphasizes ahimsa, so the ethical concern is how the milk is obtained.

If the buffalo is treated kindly, not harmed, and the calf is not deprived, then many traditional Jains consider such milk acceptable.

But if the milk comes from a system where animals are exploited, separated from calves, confined, or harmed, then avoiding it is more consistent with the spirit of ahimsa.

About Yogurt

Yogurt is traditionally used by many Jains, but with care:

• It should be fresh.
• It is generally avoided at night.
• It should not be consumed if it has become overly fermented or stale.

Spiritual Understanding

The deeper Jain principle is not simply “buffalo milk allowed or not allowed,” but:

• Does this food involve unnecessary violence?
• Does it increase attachment to taste?
• Can I choose a more compassionate option?

Takeaway

A Jain can traditionally consume buffalo milk and yogurt, but the best Jain approach is to ensure minimum himsa, avoid cruelty-based dairy, eat with restraint, and follow the guidance of one’s Jain tradition, guru, or family discipline.