Jainism For Beginners Level 02

Author(s): Sayampurnashreeji
Publisher: Sayampurnashreeji

Page 42

ASCETICS
(Sadhus & Sadhvis)
Two greql vous MAHA VRATA
at the time of initiation, Sadhus
and Sadhvis take five major vows and live strictly in accordance with those vows. The five great vows are:
JAIN ASCETICS (SADHUS & SADHVIS)
hen a person renounces UV worldly life and all wordly attachments and is initiated into monkhood or nunhood, the man is called Sadhu, Shraman or Muni and the woman is called Sadhvi, Shramani, or Arya. 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 spirituality,
uplifting their souls and guiding 34 householders on how to uplift their souls.
1) Ahimsa Mahavrata
Vow of absolute Non-violence. Ahimsa (Pranatipat Viraman Mahavrata) means Sadhu & Sadhvis will never cause harm or violence to any living being including even the tiniest creatures.
2) Satya Mahavrata
Vow of absolute Truthfulness Satya (Mrushavada Viraman Mahavrata) means they will not lie. They will speak only harmless truth otherwise they will be in silent.