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Acharanga Sutra and the Dasvekalik Sutra of the Shwetamber tradition details the conduct of a Jain ascetic. The Moolachar sutra and the Anagar Dharmamrita provide particulars on sadhutva for the Digamber sects. Below is a picture of Jain monks, representing the different sects and gender. The estimate of the total number of monks in the different Jain Sampradays (sects) currently is given in the table below. The picture on the next page gives the time-line of the different. traditions.
Life during Sadhutva
Acharya Umaswati (or
Umaswami) was probably the last popular Acharya accepted either as part of lineages or as a revered scholar by all current sects of Jainism. The following is a quotation from Acharya Umaswati's Tattvaarth Sutra:
"The life of an ascetic is exacting. It imposes hardships and strains. An ascetic accepts food and drinks according to an uncompromising code. An ascetic endeavors to live in harmony with nature. He/she keeps few possessions and lives in an ordinary residence with meager facilities and protection from the elements. It is expected that an ascetic will encounter afflictions of hunger, disease, reviling, and the like. As part of ascetic discipline, a mendicant voluntarily and patiently undergoes painful experiences such as hunger and thirst, heat and cold, and, discomforting posture and uncomfortable repose. Through such trials and tribulations, the sage becomes conditioned to face unforeseen afflictions, physically and mentally. When afflictions befall at random, due to past experiences, he/she maintains equanimity and does not falter from the path of spiritual pursuit. Confronting hardships patiently strengthens the resolve of aspirants to
Sampraday (sect) Shwetamber Murtipujak
Shwetamber Sthanakvasi
Shwetamber Terapanth
Digamber
TOTAL
Jain Education International
No. of Acharyas
164
12
1
57
234
No. of Sadhus
1,927
599
154
614
JAIN DIGEST.. May 2011
pursue asceticism. It also leads to stoppage of inflow and shedding of karmas."
'Virati means giving up feelings, thoughts and conduct of sin. 'Sarvavirati' means giving up all sins for life. The individual who takes the vow to
give up all sins follows the path of sadhutva. This
worthy individual renounces the worldly life and all the attachments, and is initiated into the Jain order of monkhood (diksha), the man is called Sadhu, Shraman or Muni and the woman is called Sadhavi, Shramani, or Arya. Their renunciation is total which means they are completely detached from the social and worldly activities and they do not take any part in those activities anymore. Instead, they spend their time in spiritual pursuit, uplifting their souls and guiding householders such as ourselves how to uplift our souls.
When individuals get initiated into the life of Sadhus and Sadhavis, they take five major vows and act strictly in accordance with those vows. The five great vows are: Pranatipätaviraman Mahavrat - Vow of absolute Non-violence.
First vow of Pranatipätaviraman Mahavrat means sadhu and sadhavis will never cause harm or violence to any living being including even the tiniest creatures.
Mrishavadaviraman Mahavrat - Vow of absolute Truthfulness
Second vow of Mrishavadaviraman Mahavrat means they will not lie.
No. Of Total Sadhavis Monks
6,600
3,012
525
515
8,691
3,623
680
1,186
10,652 14,180
3,294 For Private & Personal Use Only
% of Total
61%
26%
5%
8%
100%
Adattadänavira man Mahavrat - Vow of absolute Non-stealing
Third vow of Adattadänaviram an Mahavrat
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