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224: JAINS TODAY IN THE WORLD
From sunset to total darkness, ascetics perform their compulsory duty of mental concentration (dhyāna) and recite with the rosary various “mantra" or "sūtra”. They confess by a new ālocanā their sins of the day to their “guru" or "guruņi" repent them and undergo the ordered penances. These penances defined in the 'Cheda-sūtra'and the
Jitakalpa-sūtra' vary from the “kāyotsarga" to temporary isolation, from the loss of their seniority to a temporary or definitive eviction (pārārcika) according to the gravity of the transgressions, incompatibility or bad-tempered character. The decisions for major sanctions are taken by the “Ācārya". A fast may complement the penance.
After dark, ascetics are obliged to remain in partial or total obscurity depending on moon and clouds. During the night, they are strictly forbidden to light a candle or any uncovered flame that might attract insects and injure or burn them and so cause violence towards “ jīva”. The sleep of the ascetics must be short. If they wake during the night, they must occupy their mind with meditation or internal recitation of “mantra” and “sütra”.
Two times a year, at the beginning of the great religious Jain festival of “paryūṣaņa" and in spring, ascetics have to suffer the pulling out of the hair (keśa-luñcana). In spring this is not absolutely compulsory. The rite is performed as a sign of renouncement to vanity and to all body cares.
If an ascetic has been temporarily banned from of his (her) group, if he (she) cannot adjust to the rigorous way of life or if it does not meet his (her) expectations, then he (she) may ask to be permitted to leave and be possibly readmitted later, after an apology and a new "dīkşă”.
Numerous monks, nuns, Ācārya, Bhattāraka, Pandita and scholars write well-informed books and articles in Hindi, Gujarati, English and even French, like Shanta's book La Voie jaina on the life of Jain nuns, that are very useful for deepening ones knowledge on the matter.
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