Answer

In Jain Dharma, dairy itself is not universally prohibited. What is prohibited in vigai/vighai is the excessive attachment to rich, stimulating, pleasure-giving foods such as milk, curd, ghee, oil, jaggery/sugar, and fried or rich preparations.

So Jains may still consume dairy because:

• Dairy has traditionally been considered acceptable for householders when obtained without violence.
• Renouncing vigai is usually practiced as a form of tapasya or restraint, not as a daily rule for every Jain householder.
• The deeper goal is to reduce attachment, taste-craving, indulgence, and himsa.

Explanation

In Jain practice, vigai refers to foods that are considered especially tasteful, rich, and attachment-producing. These may include items like:

• Milk
• Curd
• Ghee
• Oil
• Jaggery or sugar
• Rich or fried foods

During certain vows, tapasya, or disciplined eating practices, Jains may renounce these items to reduce dependency on taste and bodily comfort.

But for ordinary householders, Jain Dharma gives graded discipline. A sadhu or sadhvi follows very strict renunciation, while a shravak or shravika follows vows according to household life. Therefore, dairy may be consumed by many Jains in daily life, especially where it has traditionally been seen as non-meat and acceptable.

Spiritual Understanding

The main Jain concern is not simply “dairy” as a category, but:

• Was violence involved?
• Is the food increasing attachment?
• Is it encouraging greed, taste-craving, or carelessness?
• Can one gradually reduce dependence on such foods?

In modern times, many Jains also avoid dairy because commercial dairy production often involves harm to animals. This choice aligns strongly with the Jain principle of ahimsa. Other Jains continue consuming dairy, especially if they believe it is obtained in a less harmful way or follow traditional household practice.

Takeaway

Dairy is included in vigai because it can increase attachment and indulgence, but vigai renunciation is generally a discipline of restraint, not a universal daily prohibition for all Jains. A Jain who avoids dairy out of ahimsa and detachment is following a spiritually meaningful path, while householders traditionally have followed graded levels of restraint.