Here is a very simple A–Z of core Jain ideas and terms. It’s meant as a quick, friendly map you can read in a few minutes.

A — Ahimsa

• Non‑violence in thought, word, and deed. The heart of Jain Dharma. It includes care for all life, from tiny organisms to humans.

B — Bandha

• Bondage of karmic particles to the soul due to passions and actions. The opposite of liberation.

C — Charitra and Cosmic Cycles

• Charitra: conduct purified by self‑discipline.
• Jain time cycles: Avasarpini (downward) and Utsarpini (upward), repeating endlessly.

D — Digambar

• One of the two main traditions. Digambar monks practice complete non‑possession (including no clothing); Shvetambar monks wear simple white cloth. Scriptures, practices, and calendar highlights have some differences in the two traditions.

E — Ekendriya and Equanimity

• Ekendriya: one‑sensed beings (like plants, water‑bodied, etc.) who deserve full compassion.
• Equanimity (samatva) is cultivated through Samayik.

F — Five Vows (Vratas)

• For monks: Mahavratas (absolute). For householders: Anuvratas (limited).
• Ahimsa, Satya (truth), Achaurya (non‑stealing), Brahmacharya (chastity), Aparigraha (non‑possessiveness).

G — Gyan (Jñāna)

• Five types: Mati (sense‑based), Shruta (scriptural), Avadhi (clairvoyance), Manahparyaya (telepathy), Keval (omniscience).

H — Hinsa

• Violence. Even negligence causing injury is hinsa; therefore mindfulness is essential.

I — Indriya

• The five senses plus mind as a faculty of knowing. Jainism classifies living beings by number of senses.

J — Jiva and Ajiva

• Jiva: soul, inherently pure, conscious, blissful.
• Ajiva: non‑living substances (matter, space, time, motion, rest) that interact with jiva.

K — Karma (Dravya‑karma)

• Subtle matter that attaches to the soul due to passions (kashayas). Its inflow is Asrava; bondage is Bandha; stoppage is Samvara; shedding is Nirjara; total freedom is Moksha.

L — Leshya

• Colorings of the soul reflecting one’s mental states, from dark (cruel) to pure (compassionate).

M — Moksha and Mahavira

• Moksha: final liberation at Siddha‑shila, beyond rebirth.
• Bhagwan Mahavira: 24th Tirthankara of the current time‑cycle.

N — Namokar (Navkar) Mantra and Nirjara

• Universal prayer saluting qualities of Arihanta, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya, and Sadhus.
• Nirjara: shedding of karmas through austerities and right practice.

O — Om (A‑A‑A‑U‑M)

• A sacred sound summarizing the five supreme beings saluted in the Namokar.

P — Paryushan / Das Lakshan and Pratikraman

• Shvetambar tradition: Paryushan Parva (8 days). Digambar tradition: Das Lakshan (10 days). Both focus on self‑purification and forgiveness.
• Pratikraman: regular introspection, repentance, and resolve to improve.

Q — Quietude (Samayik)

• A set period of calm equanimity, seeing all souls as friends, none as enemies.

R — Ratnatraya

• The Three Jewels: Samyak Darshan (right vision), Samyak Jñān (right knowledge), Samyak Charitra (right conduct). The direct path to liberation.

S — Sallekhana and Samyak Darshan

• Sallekhana: voluntary, serene thinning of passions and body at life’s natural end, undertaken with strict conditions and guidance.
• Samyak Darshan: right faith/vision—seeing reality without delusion.

T — Tirthankara and Tattvas (Nine)

• Tirthankara: a Ford‑maker who re‑establishes the path. There are 24 in each half‑cycle.
• Nine Tattvas: Jiva, Ajiva, Asrava, Bandha, Samvara, Nirjara, Punya, Paap, Moksha.

U — Upadhyaya and Upavasa

• Upadhyaya: preceptor of scriptures.
• Upavasa: fasting to purify passions and support Nirjara; done with care and non‑violence to oneself.

V — Vitaraga and Vows for Householders

• Vitaraga: one free from attachment and aversion.
• Householders practice 12 vows: 5 Anuvratas, 3 Gunavratas, 4 Shiksha‑vratas.

W — World (Loka)

• Three regions: Adholoka (lower), Madhyaloka (middle), Urdhvaloka (upper). Siddhas reside at the apex (Siddha‑shila).

X — “X” for Kshamā (Forgiveness)

• Kshamavani/Khama‑yachna: asking and offering forgiveness, culminating on Samvatsari (Shvetambar) or Kshamavani Diwas (Digambar). Micchāmi Dukkaḍaṁ.

Y — Yoga and Yati

• Yoga: activity of mind, speech, body (the channels through which karma binds).
• Yati: ascetic/monk in the Jain tradition.

Z — Zero Possessiveness (Aparigraha)

• Reducing wants and attachments to reach inner freedom and compassion.

Notes on traditions (kept simple and respectful)

• Digambar and Shvetambar agree on the core (Ahimsa, Karma theory, Ratnatraya, Moksha). They differ in monastic discipline, textual canons, clothing of monks, and some festival observances. Both streams preserve the same ultimate goal: vitaragata (passionlessness) and liberation.

If you want to go deeper into any of these topics, you can explore authentic basics and practices here: