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## First Understanding: The Nature and Types of Moksha-attainment [21 8.
**Female-Ling Siddha:** Those who attain Siddhahood while in a female body are called Female-Ling Siddha. Examples include Malli Tirthankara, Marudevi, etc.
* **Ling** (gender) is of three types: Veda, Body-structure, and Dress.
* Here, the body-structure aspect of Ling is relevant, not Veda or Dress.
* Veda arises from the emergence of Mohkarma (delusion-karma).
* Siddhahood cannot be attained while Mohkarma persists.
* Dress has no connection to liberation.
* Therefore, the focus here is on the female body.
The Digambar tradition believes that liberation cannot be attained in a female body. However, the term "Female-Ling Siddha" acknowledges the possibility of female liberation. There is no logical or scriptural basis for the belief that women cannot attain liberation. Liberation is not linked to body structure but to the excellence of knowledge, vision, and conduct.
Why can't a female body achieve excellence in knowledge, vision, and conduct? Like men, women can also achieve excellence in these areas. The Digambar tradition considers clothing a restriction on conduct, and since women cannot renounce clothing, they have denied them liberation. However, a neutral perspective reveals that clothing itself is not a restriction on conduct. Attachment to clothing is the restriction. If there is attachment to the body even without clothing, then renouncing the body would be necessary for conduct.
Since the body cannot be renounced, can conduct not be followed? The conclusion is that simply wearing clothing does not affect conduct. The scriptures refer to "Moorti" (form) as "Parigraha" (attachment), not objects. Therefore, denying women the excellence of conduct due to their not renouncing clothing, and consequently denying them liberation, is not logical or scriptural.
**9. Male-Ling Siddha:** Those who attain Siddhahood while in a male body are called Male-Ling Siddha.
**10. Neuter-Ling Siddha:** Those who attain Siddhahood while in a neuter body, different from male and female, are called Neuter-Ling Siddha.
* Artificial neuters can attain Siddhahood, but natural neuters cannot.
**11. Self-Ling Siddha:** Those who attain Siddhahood while in the attire of a Jain monk, including the practice of Rajoharan (menstrual purification), are called Self-Ling Siddha.
**12. Other-Ling Siddha:** Those who attain Siddhahood while in the attire of other religions, such as Parivrajaka, Sannyasi, Gerupa, or those wearing clothes, are called Other-Ling Siddha.
**13. Householder-Ling Siddha:** Those who attain Siddhahood while in the attire of a householder are called Householder-Ling Siddha. For example, Marudevi Mata.
**14. One-Siddha:** Those who attain Siddhahood alone at a single time are called One-Siddha.
**1. Lingam cha triviham - Vedoh sariranivitti nevattham cha. Iha sariranivvattiye ahigaron vey-devatthehi. - Nandi** (For Private & Personal use only)