________________
v) Not to accept more than their bare needs
(giving up of all possessions). [When situations arise where their vows are at stake, not only do they stick to their vows, but they do not ask anyone else or encourage anyone else to do something that is contrary to their vows.]
4) Some wear plain white clothes and have Muhapati
(mouth cover to protect fine living beings, some hold it in hand), and Rajoharan (little soft broom to sweep the ground to protect insects, it is also called ogho) as a symbol of being a Jain monk or nun Svetamber. There are also some monks who do not wear any clothes at all (Digambar) and carry water pot and small broom made of peacock feathers. All nuns wear white
clothes. 5) When spiritual teachers teach, they do not teach
subjects like math or science, they teach us how we can be free from our unhappiness and miseries, be helpful to others, and be compassionate. In short, they
help us become better human beings. So, now you can see that our spiritual teachers are
different from our school teachers. Kavita : Sire, can you tell us about our religion and who laid the
foundation of it? Teacher : Our religion is laid down by Arihant Bhagwans. They are
also called Jinas or Tirthankars. Our religion is one of India's oldest and most independent religions. Our religion teaches us to love everybody, and help those who are miserable and unhappy. We should not hurt, trouble, or kill anyone. We should be kind to everybody, and
52
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org