Portrait of Jain Religion

Author(s): Narendra Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 95

and unrestrained or illegitimate sexual passions and possessiveness exceeding one's legitimate and reasonable needs. Monks and nuns are destined through their prescribed code of conduct to guide and inspire the community. Jain monks do not keep any money ever with them, nor do they control or own any wealth or property, movable or immovable. They limit their necessities to the barest minimum for survival, and go on reducing their range and variety as they go up the ladder towards enlightenment. Jain monks and nuns also follow other special rules of conduct flowing from the practice of major vows. They never consume food or water after sunset or before sunrise. They have to devote daily time for meditation, seeking knowledge and acquiring steadily perfecting self-control and spiritual discipline. There are also specific modalities laid down for them in regard to Ahara (food), Vihar (travel), Vastra (clothing), Kesh-Loch (plucking of hair) and keeping of auxiliaries. These modalities are illustrative of the range and scope of self-denial and soulcentric devotion.
AHARA: In the digambar tradition, digambar monks do not keep any utensils for food, not do they go from house to house for collecting food. When they proceed for Ahara, they choose one household from many offerings depending on their intuition, and accept food offered in that household by family members and friends. What is remarkable is that Jain munis accept and eat their food taking it in the palms of their hands folded together. They eat and drink only once a day standing in one position except on the days they observe fast.
In the shwetambar tradition, sadhus and sadhvis go to different households to collect food in small quantities from each household within the limits of self-imposed restrictions and vows. This is called Gochari.
VIHARA : Jain monks and nuns always walk bare-footed and do not continuously stay at one place except in the four months of rainy season when they spend their Chaturmas at one place
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A Portrait of Jain Religion