Śrāvak

In Jainism, the word Śrāvaka is used to refer the Jain laity (householder). The word śrāvaka has its roots in the word śrāvana, i.e. the one who listens (the discourses of the saints).

Overview
The tirthankara restores or organises the sangha, a fourfold order of muni (male monastics), aryika (female monastics),  śrāvakas (male followers) and śrāvikās (female followers).

In Jainism, two kinds of votaries are there:-
 * The householder (one with minor vows)
 * The homeless ascetic (one with major vows)

According to Jain text, Puruşārthasiddhyupāya:"Ascetics who establish themselves in pure and absolute consciousness observe complete abstinence. Those who practice the path of partial abstinence are called Śrāvaka."

- Puruşārthasiddhyupāya (41)

"One who observes the small vows is a householder"

- Tattvartha Sutra (101)

Ratnakaranda śrāvakācāra, a major Jain text discusses the conduct of a Śrāvaka in detail.

Six essentials
six essential duties are prescribed for a śrāvaka. These help the laity in achieving the principle of ahimsa which is necessary for his/her spiritual upliftment. The six duties are:
 * 1) Worship of Pañca-Parameṣṭhi (five supreme beings)
 * 2) Following the preachings of Jain saints.
 * 3) Study of Jain scriptures
 * 4) Meditation
 * 5) Following discipline in their daily engagement
 * 6) Charity (dāna) of four kinds:
 * 7) Ahara-dāna- donation of food
 * 8) Ausadha-dāna- donation of medicine
 * 9) Gyan-dāna- donation of knowledge
 * 10) Abhaya-dāna- saving the life of a living being or giving of protection to someone under threat

Ethical code
Jain ethical code prescribes five main vows and seven supplementary vows, which include three guņa vratas and four śikşā vratas.

A householder who observes these vows is called viratavirata, i.e., one who observes abstinence as well as non-abstinence. During

Sallekhanā
A householder who has observed all the prescribed vows to shed the karmas, takes the vow of sallekhanā at the end of his life. According to the Jain text, Puruşārthasiddhyupāya, "sallekhana enable a householder to carry with him his wealth of piety".