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Jain glossary.

The words you hear at the derasar and in pravachans, explained plainly.

Ahimsa
Non-violence in thought, speech and action — the first and central vow.
Anekantavada
The doctrine of many-sidedness: reality has more facets than any one view can hold.
Aparigraha
Non-attachment; limiting possessions and the desire for them.
Aarti
The lamp offering sung before the idol, usually in the evening.
Ayambil
A vow of one daily meal of plain food, without milk, oil, sugar or spices.
Derasar
A Jain temple, the term most used in Gujarat and among Shwetambar Jains.
Kevalgyan
Omniscience — complete knowledge attained on the destruction of karma.
Micchami Dukkadam
May my wrongdoing be forgiven; said on Samvatsari and beyond.
Moksha
Liberation of the soul from the cycle of birth and death.
Navkar Mantra
The foundational Jain prayer, bowing to the five supreme beings.
Pachakkhan
A formal vow of restraint, most often around food and drink.
Panchang
The traditional calendar tracking tithi, nakshatra, yoga and karana.
Paryushan
The most sacred period of the Jain year, given to fasting and reflection.
Pratikraman
The rite of reflection and repentance, performed daily or periodically.
Pravachan
A discourse given by a sadhu or sadhvi.
Sadhu / Sadhvi
A Jain monk or nun who has renounced worldly life.
Samvatsari
The final day of Paryushan, dedicated to seeking and granting forgiveness.
Sangh
The fourfold community of monks, nuns, laymen and laywomen; also a local congregation.
Snatra Puja
The ceremonial bathing of the idol, re-enacting the Tirthankara’s birth rite.
Stavan
A devotional song in praise of a Tirthankara.
Tirth
A sacred pilgrimage site.
Tirthankara
A ford-maker; one who establishes the path across worldly existence.
Tithi
A lunar day, the basic unit of the Jain and Hindu calendars.
Upashraya
A residence where sadhus and sadhvis stay and give discourses.
Upvas
A complete fast, typically abstaining from all food for a day.