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Satya Mahävrata
Asteya Mahävrata
Brahmacharya Mahävrata
Aparigraha Mahävrata Non-possessiveness
Truth
28
Non-stealing
Celibacy
Not to indulge in any type of lie or falsehood
Not to take anything unless it is given
Not to indulge in any sensual activities
Not to acquire more than what is needed to maintain day-to-day life
When monks and nuns commit to these five vows, they promise to never break these vows and promise to never ask or encourage anybody else to break these vows - be it in thought, speech, or action. Attributes of Sädhus and Sädhvis in Shvetämbar Tradition:
Category of Attributes
Five great vows as explained above
To protect five one-sensed beings (water, fire, earth, air, and plant known as Sthävar souls) and one group of moving living beings (two-sensed to fivesensed living beings) known as Trasa souls
To control pleasures derived from any of the five senses (touch, taste, smell, sight, hearing)
To observe five types of carefulness
To control mind, speech, and body
Not to eat before sunrise and after sunset
To forgive others
To avoid greed
To endure hardship
To endure suffering
To be introspective
To keep the heart pure Total
Some scriptures mention different 27 attributes of Sädhus and Sädhvis
Category of Attributes
Five Great Vows (Mahä-vrata)
Control of five senses
Devoid of four Kashaya - Four Passions: Anger, Ego, Deceit, Greed
Three Guptis - Control of mind, speech and body
Bhäva or Reflection (Dharma and Shukla Dhyäna), Karan or Activities (following prescribed activities and regulations) and Yoga (Body, speech, and mind activities)
Darshan, Jnän, and Chäritra
Forgiveness
JAIN PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE - 2
Numbers
5
6
5
1
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
27
Numbers
5
5
4
3
3
3
1
