The Buddha teaches on jains, presenting a tenfold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 10.78 Jains

“Dasahi, bhikkhave, asaddhammehi samannāgatā nigaṇṭhā. Katamehi dasahi? Assaddhā, bhikkhave, nigaṇṭhā; dussīlā, bhikkhave, nigaṇṭhā; ahirikā, bhikkhave, nigaṇṭhā; anottappino, bhikkhave, nigaṇṭhā; asappurisasambhattino, bhikkhave, nigaṇṭhā; attukkaṁsakaparavambhakā, bhikkhave, nigaṇṭhā; sandiṭṭhiparāmāsā ādhānaggāhī duppaṭinissaggino, bhikkhave, nigaṇṭhā; kuhakā, bhikkhave, nigaṇṭhā; pāpicchā, bhikkhave, nigaṇṭhā; pāpamittā, bhikkhave, nigaṇṭhā imehi kho, bhikkhave, dasahi asaddhammehi samannāgatā nigaṇṭhā”ti.

Aṭṭhamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Dasahi, bhikkhave, asaddhammehi samannāgatā nigaṇṭhā.

“Mendicants, Jain ascetics have ten bad qualities.

Katamehi dasahi?

What ten?

Assaddhā, bhikkhave, nigaṇṭhā;

They’re faithless and

dussīlā, bhikkhave, nigaṇṭhā;

unethical,

ahirikā, bhikkhave, nigaṇṭhā;

without conscience

anottappino, bhikkhave, nigaṇṭhā;

or prudence,

asappurisasambhattino, bhikkhave, nigaṇṭhā;

and devoted to untrue persons.

attukkaṁsakaparavambhakā, bhikkhave, nigaṇṭhā;

They glorify themselves and put others down.

sandiṭṭhiparāmāsā ādhānaggāhī duppaṭinissaggino, bhikkhave, nigaṇṭhā;

They’re attached to their own views, holding them tight, and refusing to let go.

kuhakā, bhikkhave, nigaṇṭhā;

They’re deceptive,

pāpicchā, bhikkhave, nigaṇṭhā;

with corrupt wishes

pāpamittā, bhikkhave, nigaṇṭhā

and bad friends.

imehi kho, bhikkhave, dasahi asaddhammehi samannāgatā nigaṇṭhā”ti.

Jain ascetics possess these ten bad qualities.”

Aṭṭhamaṁ.

Qualities:

Conscience

Conscience

An inner moral sensitivity that shrinks from wrongdoing out of self-respect and personal integrity. It is the voice within that knows what is beneath one's dignity, guarding conduct through an inward standard of honor.

Also known as: with sense of right and wrong, sense of shame, modesty, (comm) originating from inside
Pāli: hirī
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Ethical conduct

Ethical conduct

A disciplined way of living grounded in harmlessness and integrity. Ethical conduct restrains the body and speech from harm, purifies behavior, and forms the foundation for collectedness and wisdom.

Also known as: moral integrity, right action, virtue
Pāli: sīla, sammākammanta
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Faith

Faith

Confidence in the Buddha's awakening and the efficacy of the path. It brightens and steadies the mind, removing doubt and inspiring energy toward wholesome practice. True faith rests on clarity and direct experience rather than mere belief.

Also known as: confidence, trust, belief, conviction, self-assurance
Pāli: saddha, pasanna
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Harm

Harm

Intention or action that causes injury or suffering to oneself or others. It arises from aversion and heedlessness and destroys trust and safety. The opposite of non-harm, it obscures compassion and leads to regret.

Also known as: injury causing behavior, destructiveness, bad, evil
Pāli: pāpaka
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Wrong view

Wrong view

A distorted understanding that sees permanence in the impermanent, satisfaction in the unsatisfactory, or self in the not-self. Wrong view guides action by delusion, obscuring cause and effect, and closes the door to wisdom and release.

Also known as: distorted or inverted perception, untrue view, false belief
Pāli: micchādiṭṭhi
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Last updated on July 27, 2026