Here is a simple guide to the Jain dharm path (Jain way to liberation), kept faithful to traditional teachings.

Core goal

• Liberation (moksha) by stopping new karmas and shedding bound karmas through right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.

Three Jewels (Ratnatraya)

• Samyak Darshan: right faith in Tattvas (realities) and the teachings of the Jinas.
• Samyak Jnan: right knowledge, free from doubt, delusion, and contradiction.
• Samyak Charitra: right conduct—living non-violently and with self-restraint.

Seven Tattvas (fundamental truths)

• Jiva (soul), Ajiva (non-soul), Asrava (inflow of karma), Bandha (bondage), Samvara (stoppage), Nirjara (shedding), Moksha (liberation).

Ahimsa at the center

• Ahimsa Paramo Dharmah: non‑violence in thought, word, and deed toward all living beings. This extends to careful speech, careful movement, and careful consumption.

Vows and conduct

• For monks/nuns: 5 Mahavratas (absolute vows) — non‑violence, truth, non‑stealing, celibacy, non‑possessiveness.
• For householders: 12 vows

- 5 Anuvratas (small vows corresponding to the Mahavratas in limited form). - 3 Gunavratas (to further limit space, resources, and purposeless movement). - 4 Shiksha‑vratas (training vows: e.g., Samayik, Deshavakaashika, Paushadha, Atithi‑samvibhaga).

• Digambar and Shwetambar traditions agree on the substance of these vows; minor practice details may differ.

Daily/regular practices for householders

• Samayik: 48 minutes of equanimity, contemplation, and non‑injury.
• Pratikraman: periodic repentance and reflection to remove faults.

- Shwetambar tradition commonly performs it daily (morning/evening) or fortnightly (Pakshik). - Digambar tradition emphasizes Pakshik and annual Samvatsari/Kshamavani; daily forms also exist.

• Pratyakhyan: making firm resolves to avoid specific faults.
• Swadhyaya: study of scriptures and reflections (Anupreksha/Bhavana—12 contemplations).
• Kayotsarga/Dhyana: meditation and stillness to reduce passions and shed karma.
• Dana and Seva: offering alms to ascetics and service to all beings without violence.
• Upavas/fasts: from partial to complete fasts, with right intention and care.

Diet and careful living

• Traditional Jain householders follow strict vegetarian (lacto‑vegetarian) diet, avoid root vegetables, avoid eating after sunset, and practice careful sourcing to reduce himsa.
• Many adopt additional restraints (e.g., avoiding honey, alcohol, and needless wastage). Specific observances can vary slightly by tradition and local achar (conduct codes).

Doctrine that guides conduct

• Anekantavada (many‑sidedness of reality) and Syadvada (qualified, respectful speech) to reduce dogmatism and violence of views.
• Aparigraha (non‑possessiveness) to limit desires and attachments, a key cause of karmic bondage.

Stages of progress

• Gunasthanas (14 spiritual stages) describe the soul’s purification from delusion to omniscience and liberation.
• The path advances as delusion decreases, vows strengthen, passions weaken, and meditation deepens.

Scriptural anchors

• Tattvartha Sutra (accepted by both Digambar and Shwetambar traditions) summarizes doctrine and the path.
• Each tradition also preserves its own canon and commentaries; meanings remain aligned on essentials.

End aim

• Through Ratnatraya, vow‑observance, meditation, penance, and compassion, the soul attains keval‑jnan (omniscience) and finally moksha—eternal bliss and freedom from birth and death.

If you wish to start practically: begin with daily Samayik, basic Anuvratas, regular Pratikraman, truthful gentle speech, mindful diet, and small acts of non‑possessiveness, while studying Tattvartha Sutra or a trusted primer from your tradition.