$JES 302 Jain Philosophy Level 3 Book

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

Page 20

JAIN ASCETICS (SADHUS AND SADHVIS) do not touch the members of the opposite sex, even children. If members of the opposite sex touch them by mistake or ignorance, they must undergo a ritual of repentance (Prayashchitta) for self purification. Jain Sädhus and Sadhvis do not keep money with them. They do not own or have control of any wealth, houses, or movable or immovable property or organization. They limit their necessities to the lowest limit and apart from these limits they do not have any attachments or possessions.
Special Rules of Conduct for Specific Activities: In addition to the five great vows, the Jain Sädhus or Sädhvis follow special rules of conduct such as not consuming food or water after sunset or before sunrise, and wait 48 minutes after sunrise before even drinking boiled water.
Gochari (Alms):
Jain Sädhus and Sadhvis do not cook their food, do not get it prepared for them, and do not accept any food, which has been prepared for them. They go to different householders and receive a small amount of vegetarian food from each house. This practice is called Gochari. Just as cows graze the top part of grass by moving from place to place, taking a little at one place and a little at another, in the same way Jain monks and nuns do not take all their food from one house. They collect it from various houses. The reason Jain Sädhus/Sadhvis accept a small amount of food and not all the food from one house is because this way the householders will not have to cook again. The cooking process involves much violence in the form of fire, vegetable chopping, water consumption, etc., and Sädhus or Sädhvis do not want to be a part of any violence due to their needs. They do not receive food standing outside the house; but they go inside the house where food is cooked or kept. This way they can understand the situation that their accepting food will not require the householders to cook again. They accept food, which is within the limit of their vows.
Digambar monks do not keep any utensils required for food to carry from one house to another. They eat the food given into their hands only. Hence on each day they have food (Ahär) at one house only. They eat and drink only once a day, standing in one position. They do not use any utensils for food and drink. They fold both hands together so that householder can put a small amount of food in their hands till they have finished eating.
Vihär (Travel)
Jain monks and nuns always walk bare footed and continuously travel from one place to another. They do not use any vehicle like bullock cart, car, boat, ship or plane for traveling. Whether it is cold weather or scorching sun; whether the road is rough, unpaved, or full of thorns; whether it is burning hot desert sand or sun-baked asphalt, they do not wear any footwear at any time. They move about on bare feet
JAIN PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE I