Jain Lesson II

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

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peacock feathers. The feathers used for these brooms were naturally shed by the peacock. They do Pratikraman twice a day, one in the morning and the other in the evening. They perform various austerities. They also teach religious beliefs to householders.
They have a great deal of discipline in observing their vows. If a householder offers a sadhu or a sadhvi something which they cannot accept, they calmly explain to the householder that they cannot accept certain things. They are highly respected everywhere.
People like us who are ignorant of the real truth and are involved in worldly aspects can get religious advice from these monks and nuns. They explain the message of Lord Mahavira. We should bow down to such monks and nuns to show our reverence. When we bow down, we should kneel so that our lower legs, both hands and head touch the floor, and then we should say “Mathen Vandami” which means, "I am bowing down my head." While bowing down, males should not touch the nuns and females should not touch the monks. We should try to follow the example set by Sadhus and Sadhvis.
In conclusion, while renouncing their worldly aspects there are three conditions they must fulfill to attain monkhood or nunhood. They are : 1. Voluntary renunciation of all worldly possessions, social
and economic aspects of the life. 2. Voluntary adaptation of the five great vows and their
nine fold observance. 3. Wearing only white clothes or not wearing any clothes
at all. All nuns wear white clothes.
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