Jain monasticism

Jain female monks.

<th class="" style="padding:0.1em;;padding:0.5em 0 0.1em 0; font-size:120%; color: white; line-height:1.0em; style="text-align:center; background: #EEEEEE;;">

<th class="" style="padding:0.1em;;padding:0.5em 0 0.1em 0; font-size:120%; color: white; line-height:1.0em; style="text-align:center; background: #EEEEEE;;">

<th class="" style="padding:0.1em;;padding:0.5em 0 0.1em 0; font-size:120%; color: white; line-height:1.0em; style="text-align:center; background: #EEEEEE;;">

<th class="" style="padding:0.1em;;padding:0.5em 0 0.1em 0; font-size:120%; color: white; line-height:1.0em; style="text-align:center; background: #EEEEEE;;">

<th class="" style="padding:0.1em;;padding:0.5em 0 0.1em 0; font-size:120%; color: white; line-height:1.0em; style="text-align:center; background: #EEEEEE;;">

<th class="" style="padding:0.1em;;padding:0.5em 0 0.1em 0; font-size:120%; color: white; line-height:1.0em; style="text-align:center; background: #EEEEEE;;">

<th class="" style="padding:0.1em;;padding:0.5em 0 0.1em 0; font-size:120%; color: white; line-height:1.0em; style="text-align:center; background: #EEEEEE;;">

Part of a series on
Jainism
Bhaktamara Stotra Micchami Dukkadam Ṇamōkāra mantra
Anekantavada Cosmology Epistemology Ahimsa Karma Dharma Mokṣa Kevala Jnana Dravya Tattva Asteya Brahmacharya Aparigraha Gunasthana Saṃsāra Satya
The 24 Tirthankaras Rishabha Pārśva Mahavira Acharya Ganadhara Siddhasena Divakara Haribhadra
Digambara Śvētāmbara
Kalpa Sūtra Agama Tattvartha Sutra Nālaṭiyār
Parasparopagraho Jivanam Jain symbols Jain flag Timeline Topics list Schools and Branches
Diwali Mahavir Jayanti Paryushana Samvatsari
Jainism portal
v t e

Jain monasticism refers to the order of monks and nuns in the Jain community. The term nirgrantha "bondless" was used for Jain monks in the past. Another ancient term, Śramaṇa "striver", is used mainly by the Sthanakvasi sect. Currently, male ascetics are usually called a muni where as female ascetics are called sadhvi among the Śvētāmbara and aryika among the Digambara.^[1][2]

Initiation

To become an ascetic, a rite is performed which is called diksha (initiation). Diksha provides a formal change in a person from the status of householder to an ascetic. The svetambara terapanthi sect asks for a written permission from the parents of the person before formally initiating them to the ascetic order.^[3]

Rules of conduct

The rules of conduct of Jain ascetics are based on modifications and adaptations from older text, since they are not able to provide exact guidance. The earliest available texts often ask for ascetics to be in complete solitude, identifying the isolation of soul and non-soul. This, however, did not prove to be practical. Soon after the death of Mahavira, the ascetics organized themselves into groups.^[4] Few examples of ascetics living in complete solitude are found in the digambara sect of Jainism.^[5]

Jain ascetics do not have a home or any possessions.^[4] They wander barefoot from place to place except during the months of Chaturmas. Their quality of life is difficult because of the many constraints placed on them. They do not use vehicles. They don't possess any materialistic things and also don't use basic services like telephones and electricity. They don't prepare food, and live only on what people offer them.^[6]

The Jain ascetics are detached from social and worldly activities and they do not take any part in those activities. Instead, they spend their time spiritually uplifting their souls and guiding householders on how to uplift their souls. They do not take food or water after sunset or before sunrise. They wait forty-eight minutes after sunrise before drinking boiled water.^{[citation needed]}

Gochari (Alm): Jain ascetics do not cook their food, do not get it prepared for them, and do not accept any food which was prepared for them. They go to different householders that are Jains or vegetarians and receive a little food from each house. This practice is called Gochari. Just as cows graze the top part of grass, moving from place to place, taking a little at one place and a little at another, in the same way Jain ascetics do not take all the food from one house. They collect it from various houses. The reason Jain ascetics accept a little food and not all the food from one house is because that way the householders do not have to cook again. The cooking process involves much violence in the form of fire, vegetable chopping, water consumption, etc., and ascetics do not want to be the part of any violence due to their needs. They do not receive food standing outside the house; but they go inside the house where food is cooked or kept. This way they can know that accepting food would not make the householders have to cook again. They accept food which is within the limit of their vows.^{[citation needed]}

Vihar: They always walk barefoot. When they travel from one place to another, whatever the distance, they always walk. They do not use any vehicle, such as a bullock cart, car, boat, ship or plane, for traveling. Whether the weather is cold or hot; whether the road is stony or thorny; whether it is the burning sand of a desert or a burning road, they do not wear any footwear at any time. They move about on bare feet all their life. The reason for not wearing shoes is so that, while walking, they can avoid crushing the bugs or insects on the ground. While going places, they preach the religion (Dharma), and provide proper spiritual guidance to people. They do not stay more than a few days in any one place except during the rainy season, which is about four months in duration. The ascetics generally do not go out at night. The place where they stay is called Upashray or Paushadh Shala. They may stay in places other than the Upashrayas if those places are suitable to the practice of their disciplined life and if they do not disturb or impede the code of conduct. The reason they do not stay anywhere permanently or for a longer period in one place is to avoid developing attachment for material things and the people around them.^{[citation needed]}

Loch: The Jain ascetics after receiving the Diksha (initiation) do not cut their hair or shave their heads; nor do they get these things done by a barber. But twice a year or at least once a year at the time of Paryushan, they pluck off their hairs or they get the hairs plucked by others. This is called Keshlochan or Loch. This way they are not dependent on others to carry out their needs. It is also considered as one kind of austerity where one bears the pain of plucking the hairs calmly.^{[citation needed]}

Clothing: Female ascetics and Svetambara male monks always wear un-stitched or minimally stitched white clothes. Digambara Jain monks do not wear clothes. A loin cloth which reaches up to the shins is called a Cholapattak. Another cloth to cover the upper part of the body is called Pangarani (Uttariya Vastra). A cloth that passes over the left shoulder and covers the body up to a little above the ankle is called a kïmli. Kïmli is a woollen shawl. They also carry a woollen bed sheet and a woollen mat to sit on. Those who wear clothes have a muhapati, which is a square or rectangular piece of cloth of a prescribed measurement, either in their hand or tied on their face covering the mouth. Svetambara ascetics have an Ogho or Rajoharan (a broom of woollen threads) to clean insects around their sitting place or while they are walking. Digambara ascetics have a Morpichhi and a Kamandal in their hands. This practice may vary among different sects of Jains but essential principle remains the same to limit needs.^{[citation needed]}

They bestow their blessings on all, uttering the words Dharm Labh (may you attain spiritual prosperity). They bless everyone alike irrespective of their caste, creed, sex, age, wealth, poverty or social status. Some put Vakshep (scented sandal dust) on the heads of people. Monks and nuns show the path of wholesome life and of a righteous and disciplined life to everyone through discussions, discourses, seminars and camps to attain spiritual prosperity.^{[citation needed]}

The entire life of ascetics is directed towards the welfare of their souls. All the activities of their life have only one aim, namely, self-purification for self-realization. For the attainment of this objective, besides following laid-down guidelines, they perform the daily worship, and perform other austerities.^[7]

Yati of svetambara sect and Bhatakkara of the Digambara are not wandering ascetics. They usually dwell in temples and perform daily rituals.^[4]

Monastic ranks

White-clothed Acharya Kalaka

Monks of both the Svetambara and Digambara traditions are assigned to different ranks:^[8]

• Acharya (Jainism): leader of the order
• Upajjhaya (Jainism): a learned monk, who both teaches and studies himself
• Muni: an ordinary ascetic

Over a period of time, many designations were designed as mentioned in shastras like gani, pannyas and pravartak. In the Digambara traditions, a junior monk can have several ranks:^{[citation needed]}

• Ailak: uses one piece of cloth
• Kshullak: uses two pieces of cloth
• Aryika: all women ascetics

The Terapanthi sect of the Svetambara has a new rank of junior monks, samana.^{[citation needed]}

The Jain monks become immersed in activities such as meditation, seeking knowledge and acquiring self-discipline. Proceeding on the path of spiritual endeavor, when they reach a higher level of attainment, their spiritual elders, for the preservation of the four-fold Jain Sangh, confer upon them some special titles.^{[citation needed]}

The title of Acharya is considered to be very high and involves a great responsibility. The entire responsibility of the Jain Sangh rests on the shoulders of the acharya. Before attaining this title, one has to make an in-depth study and a thorough exploration of the Jain Agams and attain mastery of them. One must also study the various languages of the surrounding territory and have acquired a through knowledge of all the philosophies of the world related to different ideologies and religions.^{[citation needed]}

The title of Upadhyay is given to a monk who teaches all the ascetics, and has acquired a specialized knowledge of the Agams (Scriptures). The title of Panyas and Gani is given to those who have acquired an in-depth knowledge of all the Jain agama. To attain the status of Ganipad one should have a knowledge of the Bhagawati Sutra and to attain the Panyas-pad one should have attained a comprehensive knowledge of all the aspects of the agams.^{[citation needed]}

The Jain monks, on account of the mode of their life, are unique among all the monks. The entire life of ascetics is dedicated to spiritual welfare of their souls; all their objectives, and all their activities are directed towards elevating their souls to the Paramatma-dasha, the state of the Supreme Soul.^{[citation needed]}

Main concept of renunciation is same in both Svetambar and Digambar sects. But there are some differences in what they keep and how they take Gochari/Ahar. All of the Digambar monastics keep Morpichhi and Kamandal. They eat once a day from "Choka". These chokas are arranged by householders and they invite Monks and nuns to accept the food from there. Digambar monks and elaks eat standing up and in their hands. Khulaks eat in one utensil. Nuns eat in their hand or in utensil.^[7]

Mahavratas

Five Mahavratas of Jain Ascetics

As prescribed by ancient texts such as the Acharanga, the requirements on full ascetics are strict and emerge from the teachings of Mahavira. The five Mahavratas are the five great vows that full ascetics observe:^{[citation needed]}

1. Nonviolence (Ahimsa)
2. Truth (Satya)
3. Non-stealing (Asteya)
4. Chastity (Brahmacharya)
5. Non-possession/Detachment (Aparigraha)

Gupti and Samiti

Apart from the Mahavratas, ascetics also observe the Three Restraints and Five Carefulnesses.

The Three Restraints (Gupti)

• Mind (Managupti)
• Speech (Vacanagupti)
• Body (Kayagupti)

The Five Carefulnesses (Samiti)

• While walking (Irya Samiti)
• While communicating (Bhasha Samiti)
• While eating (Eshana Samiti)
• While handling their fly-whisks, water gourds, etc. (Adana Nikshepana Samiti)
• While disposing of bodily waste matter (Pratishthapana Samiti)

Mahavira's asceticism

The Jain text of Kalpasutra describes Mahavira's asceticism in detail, from whom most of the ascetic practices (including the gupti's and samitis) are derived:^[9]

The Venerable Ascetic Mahavira for a year and a month wore clothes; after that time he walked about naked, and accepted the alms in the hollow of his hand. For more than twelve years the Venerable Ascetic Mahivira neglected his body and abandoned the care of it; he with equanimity bore, underwent, and suffered all pleasant or unpleasant occurrences arising from divine powers, men, or animals.

—Kalpa Sutra 117

Henceforth the Venerable Ascetic Mahavira was houseless, circumspect in his walking, circumspect in his speaking, circumspect in his begging, circumspect in his accepting (anything), in the carrying of his outfit and drinking vessel; circumspect in evacuating excrements, urine, saliva, mucus, and uncleanliness of the body; circumspect in his thoughts, circumspect in his words, circumspect in his acts; guarding his thoughts, guarding his words, guarding his acts, guarding his senses, guarding his chastity; without wrath, without pride, without deceit, without greed; calm, tranquil, composed, liberated, free from temptations, without egoism, without property; he had cut off all earthly ties, and was not stained by any worldliness: as water does not adhere to a copper vessel, or collyrium to mother of pearl (so sins found no place in him); his course was unobstructed like that of Life; like the firmament he wanted no support; like the wind he knew no obstacles; his heart was pure like the water (of rivers or tanks) in autumn; nothing could soil him like the leaf of a lotus; his senses were well protected like those of a tortoise; he was single and alone like the horn of a rhinoceros; he was free like a bird; he was always waking like the fabulous bird Bharundal, valorous like an elephant, strong like a bull, difficult to attack like a lion, steady and firm like Mount Mandara, deep like the ocean, mild like the moon, refulgent like the sun, pure like excellent gold'; like the earth he patiently bore everything; like a well-kindled fire he shone in his splendour.

—Kalpa Sutra 118

Chaturmas

Chaturmas means the four months of the monsoon, during which ascetics stay in one place. Staying in one place during the monsoon reduces the risk of causing accidental death to numerous insects and smaller forms of life that thrive during the rains. During this period, it is a suitable time for lay Jains to have an annual renewal of the faith by listening to teachings of the Dharma and through meditation and vartas (self-control).^{[citation needed]}

See also

• Jainism
• Shramana
• Kshullaka
• Sravaka
• Pratima (Jainism)

References

External links

• List of All Digamber Jain Monks With detailed description