Answer

In Jain Dharma, the 28 primary vows are commonly known as the 28 Mūl Guṇ — the fundamental qualities or root disciplines expected especially of a Jain monk.

They are:

• 5 Mahāvrat – Five great vows
• 5 Samiti – Five carefulnesses
• 3 Gupti – Three controls
• 5 Indriya-vijay – Control over five senses
• 6 Āvaśyak – Six essential duties
• 4 Other essential renunciations

Together: 5 + 5 + 3 + 5 + 6 + 4 = 28 Mūl Guṇ.

Explanation

1. Five Mahāvrat – Great Vows

• Ahimsā Mahāvrat – Complete non-violence
• Satya Mahāvrat – Complete truthfulness
• Achaurya / Asteya Mahāvrat – Not stealing
• Brahmacharya Mahāvrat – Complete celibacy
• Aparigraha Mahāvrat – Complete non-possession

2. Five Samiti – Carefulness

• Iryā Samiti – Carefulness in walking
• Bhāṣā Samiti – Carefulness in speaking
• Eṣaṇā Samiti – Carefulness in accepting food/alms
• Ādāna-nikṣepaṇa Samiti – Carefulness in lifting and placing objects
• Utsarga Samiti – Carefulness in disposal of waste

3. Three Gupti – Controls

• Mano Gupti – Control of mind
• Vachan Gupti – Control of speech
• Kāya Gupti – Control of body

4. Five Indriya-vijay – Control of the Five Senses

• Sparśan Indriya-vijay – Control over touch
• Rasanā Indriya-vijay – Control over taste
• Ghrāṇ Indriya-vijay – Control over smell
• Chakṣu Indriya-vijay – Control over sight
• Śrotra Indriya-vijay – Control over hearing

5. Six Āvaśyak – Essential Duties

• Sāmāyik – Practice of equanimity
• Chaturviṁśati-stava – Praise of the 24 Tirthankars
• Vandanā – Respectful salutation to monks and spiritual teachers
• Pratikramaṇ – Repentance and self-review
• Kāyotsarga – Meditative abandonment of bodily attachment
• Pratyākhyān – Renunciation or resolve to avoid faults

6. Four Other Essential Renunciations

• Keśa-loca – Plucking of hair as an act of renunciation
• Acelakatva – Renunciation of clothing, according to Digambar monk tradition
• Asnāna – Renunciation of bathing for bodily decoration or comfort
• Bhūmi-śayana – Sleeping on the ground

Spiritual Understanding

The 28 Mūl Guṇ are not merely rules; they are disciplines for reducing attachment, passions, carelessness, and violence. They help a monk live with extreme awareness, self-control, and detachment.

Their purpose is to support:

• purity of thought, speech, and action,
• freedom from possession and pride,
• carefulness toward all living beings,
• progress toward liberation of the soul.

Takeaway

The 28 Mūl Guṇ are the root virtues of Jain monkhood. They guide a sadhu toward complete non-violence, restraint, detachment, and spiritual purity.