Notes on Modern Jainism

Author(s): Mrs Sinclair Stevenson
Publisher: Oxford

Page 37

JAINA ASCETICS.
25
At the time of his initiation the man is led in proces
sion through the city with much pomp Initiation.
and ceremony to a banyan tree. Next comes the removal of the hair, which is performed outside the city in some room or tent. The candidate's head is shaved all over, with the exception of one small lock of hair which is pulled out under a tree. After six months the ascetic will have to get rid of his hair again, but this time it must all be pulled out, the merciful aid of partial shaving being only given the first time.
This hair plucking is a rite peculiar to the Jaina and is looked on by them as of great importance; it is always done in preparation for the yearly Pajjusana, as well as at other times if necessary.
A mixture of ashes etc. is applied to his head, and the following mantra is whispered in his ear:
करेमि भंते सामायं सावजजोगं पचखामि. जावजिवाए पज्जुवासामि. (दुविहं तिविहेणं न करोम न कारवामि) मणसा वयसा कायसा तस्सभंते पडिकमाभि निंदामि गरिहामि अप्पाणं वोसिरामि।
The bracketed words are sometimes changed and the following words substituted for them :
तिविहं तिविहेणं न करोमि न कारवोम, करंत नाणु जाणइ।
In the first case he promises not to infringe his vows by any of the three Danda, (ES) i.e. mind, speech, or action, nor to cause any one else to do so; in the second case he further promises not to share in the result of any one having done so.
If the ascetic be a Digambara or Svetāmbara, he will take a new name; if he be a Sthānakavāsi, however, he will still retain his old one.