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harming any living creature These are the principal rales to be observed besides many bye-rules and regulations in toto by Jain ascetics as prescribed by Lord Mahavira and those monks and nuns who observe them correctly in thought, speech and action are considered to be the true Jain ascetic foŲowers of Lord Mahavira,
Jainism and Common Householders.
Here a dilema comes to the minds of the readers that everything is given for ascetics in Jainism bat nothing for the common householders While giving the expository explanation enoding the above probleme, it can be said that Jainism is more than a formal religion. It is an all-pervasive way of life, guiding thought and action to a degree without parallel in the world. As such Jainism apart from Mahavratas and rules for ascetics has given rules for the householders too for the upliftment and betterement of their lives. Common people, however, should observe the five yows which are same as five Maharratas, 80 far as their conditions admit; these five vows of the common people are termed "ANUVRATAS" or the small vows. To explain, not to kill any living creature requires the greatest caution in all activities, considering that nearly everything is believed to be endowed with life Endless rules have been laid down for ascetics which aim at preventing the destruction of any living
