$JES 302 Jain Philosophy Level 3 Book

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 19

JAIN ASCETICS (SADHUS AND SADHVIS) Chapter 04 - Jain Ascetics (Sädhus and Sadhvis)
When a person renounces worldly life and all worldly attachments and is initiated into monkhood or nunhood, the man is called Sädhu, Shraman or Muni and the woman is called Sadhvi, Shramani, or Aryä. Their renunciation is total, which means they are completely detached from social and worldly activities and they do not take any part in those activities anymore. Instead, they spend their time in spiritually uplifting their souls and guiding householders such as us on how to uplift ourselves (our souls).
Five Great Vows (Mahä Vrata) At the time of initiation, Sädhus and Sadhvis take five major vows and live strictly in accordance with those vows. The five great vows are:
1) Ahinsä Mahävrata - Vow of absolute Non-violence. Ahinsä (Pränätipat Viraman Mahävrata) means Sädhu and Sadhvis will never cause harm or violence to any living being including even the tiniest creatures.
2) Satya Mahävrata - Vow of absolute Truthfulness Satya (Mrushäväda Viraman Mahävrata) means they will not lie. They will speak only harmless truth otherwise they will be in silence.
3) Asteya or Achaurya Mahävrata - Vow of absolute Non-stealing Asteya (Adattädäna Viraman Mahävrata) means without the permission of the owner they will not take anything from anywhere.
4) Brahmacharya Mahävrata - Vow of absolute Celibacy Brahmacharya (Maithuna Viraman Mahävrata) means they have to observe celibacy with an absolute adherence to it. The Sädhu or Sädhvis should not even touch a member of the opposite sex regardless of their age.
5) Aparigraha Mahävrata - Vow of absolute Non-attachment Aparigraha (Parigraha Viraman Mahävrata) means they do not possess anything and do not have any attachment for things they keep for their daily needs.
In summary, while taking these vows, they say, "O Lord Arihanta! I will not commit the sins of violence, express falsehood, steal, enjoy sensual pleasures, and be possessive. The above sins I will not commit by speech, thought or deed; nor will I assist or order anyone to commit these sins. I will not approve or endorse anyone committing such sins. Oh Lord! I hereby take a sacred and solemn vow that throughout my life, I will follow these five major vows and strictly follow the code of conduct laid out for a Sädhu and a Sadhvi."
Therefore, Jain Sädhus and Sadhvis never cause harm or violence to any living being. They live according to the pledge that they do not harm even the tiniest creatures. They always speak the absolute truth. They do not lie on account of fear, desire, anger or deceptive intentions. Without the permission of the owner, they do not take even the smallest thing such as a straw. They observe the vow of celibacy with an absolute adherence to it. They
JAIN PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE I