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Chapter 9
THEIR ASCETICS
The main division of the Jains into Svetāmbara (white clad) and Digambara (sky clad) may lead to believe these two sections are easily recognized by their outer appearance. However, this is not at all the case with the laity. No one of them goes nude or wears special clothing. Concerning Jain ascetics we may, in principle, identity them that way but it is not always so clear.
In fact, no Digambara nun (āriykā) goes nude (sky clad). There are only some monks of this obedience who practice absolute detachment who live permanently so and only in India, where the custom of naked “sādhus” exists also among Hindus. Nevertheless, if among Hindus there are nude ascetics who cover their body with ashes, wear long hair, put coloured signs on the forehead, adopt strange postures (arms raised up, finger nails extremely long, standing on one leg for long periods, etc.) this is never the case with Digambara monks. The nude ones are always in their natural nakedness, without any particular sign or mark on the forehead or elsewhere, neither in spectacular postures or manifestations. A large majority of Digambara monks are nude; they have their hair periodically pulled and bear as only possessions a peacock feather broom and a pail for their ablutions. One can see them now and then wandering the roads alone, sometimes with another nude monk or accompanied by others wearing one or two pieces of cloth or just a loincloth. Jain “Bhattāraka”, who are few in number, make themselves conspicuous by wearing orange coloured robes and wooden clogs whereas all other Jain ascetics go barefoot. These Bhattāraka remain attached to the monasteries (matha) they manage and are rarely wandering.
Digambara nuns always wear white robes and a white veil surrounding the head. Like Digambara monks they have the hair
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