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JAIN JOURNAL : Vol-XXXVI, No. 3 January, 2002 various reasons. Cases of child-widows becoming nuns are not wanting. Generally the permission of the guardian must be obtained. Even women must do kesa-loca.
Nuns are organized under their officers. Ganini, pravartini, theri and bhikkuni are the offices in descending order of importance and seniority. A young nun not yet confirmed is called ksullikā. All the offices of nuns are subordinate to the offices of monks. This subordination is so supreme that a monk of three years' standing could become the upadhyāya of a nun of thirty years' standing.
Like monks, nuns too lead a wandering life and their rules and regulations are similar to those of monks. A spotless life and practice of rigorous discipline are expected, and punishments for transgressions are severe. Monks and nuns are not allowed to stay under the same shelter except during calamities or under unforseen circumstances. There are some special rules which help to maintain a pure and unharrassed life of nuns in the society.23
Conclusion
One of the noteworthy features of Jainism is the close link which exists between its lay and monastic communities. Jains as a whole are proud of the austere life-style of their mendicants. The solidarity of the Jain social structure too depends to a large extent upon the great moral authority exercised by their austere monks and nuns. The moral decline of the holy men, therefore, becomes a cause of concern for the whole society. Under such situations, the learned among the laity are free to point out the imperfections in the conduct of even the monks. It is noteworthy that some of the important reform movements in Jainism were initiated by enlightened lay-devotees.
There are approximately 8,000 Jain monks and nuns in India today, belonging to some twenty-five different sects. Of the various non-Vedic Śramana traditions, Jainism alone has survived in India till today against heavy odds. This speaks volumes for its vitality and adaptability*.
23. Ibid., p. 27.
This article is reprinted here by the courtesy of the editor Vedanta Kesari 1990, p. 450ff. We are very grateful to the editor for allowing us to reprint this valuable article for our Journal.
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