Mahavrata
Mahavrata ( Sanskrit , n., महाव्रत, mahāvrata , "great vow") denotes a great universal vow among the Jainas . The individual Mahavratas also became known through Mahatma Gandhi , whose teachings included Jain ideas.
The Jain monks keep five great vows (vratas):
- Non-violence ( ahimsa )
- Truthfulness (satya)
- Non-stealing (achaurya)
- Chastity ( brahmacarya )
- not to be attached to the world (aparigraha)
Jain monks are celibate , have no property and are not tied to a particular place. You are forced to hike except during the four month rainy season. The vows for Jain monks are very strict and have been described in classical texts such as the Acharanga. They supposedly go back to the teachings of Mahavira .
For lay people who are married and own goods, there is a similar set of vows called anuvratas.
The yamas in yoga are very similar to the mahavratas.