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seen them carrying about a broom stick, to clean the ground before sitting over it, a piece of cloth round their mouth whilst in dark for fear of destroying unwittingly some insects, need not be surprised to hear the Niganthas not using cold water.
After having considered the important · points of similarity between the Jains and the Niganthas, we shall now examine two other points in which they seem to differ not in quality but only in quantity; the difference being neither fundamental nor essential. The duties of a Nigantha layman during the fast days seem to be far more severe than those of a Jain one. During the fast days all difference between a Nigantha monk and a layman disappears. He has to take off his clothes and pronounce the vow of renunciation similar to that which the monk has to take on entering the order. Now a Jain layman, though during the Uposâtha days, observes fast, gives up
all luxury and . ornaments, he has not to Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat www.umaragyanbhandar.com
