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BASICS OF JAINISM
Upädhyäys are ascetics who have attained mastery of the Jain Agams (scriptures). They possess good knowledge of other scriptures and philosophical systems. They teach Jain scriptures to monks and nuns and other desiring aspirants; and they are an authority on scriptural knowledge in the congregation. Sädhus and Sadhvis When householders become detached from all worldly aspects of life and want to pursue spiritual upliftment for the rest of their lives, they give up their worldly
attachments, family relationships, and all possessions and become monks and nuns. Sädhus and Sädhvis follow the five great vows: Non-violence (Ahimsä), Truth (Satya), Non-stealing (Asteya), Celibacy (Brahmacharya) and Non-possessiveness (Aparigraha); and live a simple, pious and compassionate life.
The worship of these five venerable personalities is for removing attachment and aversion to purify our soul. By meditating on their pure qualities we remind ourselves daily of the possibility of attaining the highest state through right efforts.
Glossary
External renunciation is meaningless
if the soul remains fettered by internal shackles. - Bhäva-pähuda, 13
Ächärya
Aghäti Arihanta
Ghäti Karma Keval-jnän Moksha Sädhu Sädhvi
Siddha Siddhashilä Upadhyaya
He who is indifferent to the material
world has no grief. He is not affected by the miseries
of the world. He is like the unsullied lotus which rises above muddy water.
- Uttaradhyayan Sutra 32:99
28 Jain Educatior n
THE FIRST STEP OF JAINISM
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