Vaishali Institute Research Bulletin 3

Author(s): R P Poddar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 48

JAINA ASCETICS AND THEIR DRESS
The kaficuka was an unsewn garment to cover the breast and was firmly tied on both sides of the waist. It measured two and a half hands. 37 The ukkacchi or aupakaksiker was like kañcuka but it wag square in shape on the right side. It covered the breasts and the back portion and the ends were knotted on the left shoulder. Probably it measured one and half hands only.88 The veqacchiya or vaikaksik was like aupakaksiki but it was knotted on the right shoulders; But Motichandra39 suggests that it was worn on the left side over patta, kañcuka and aupakaksikt. There were four types of sanghata of different measurements meant for different occasions.40 The khandhakarant or skandhakarni was like a shawl or wrapper. But according to Jain it was worn by the nuns to protect their body from cold.41 It covered the entire body including the shoulders. Thc Bệhat kalpasūtra Bhaşya42 and the Acarangasūtac, 48 however, mention that it was used to dwarf the stature of the beautiful nuns by placing it at the back and tying it with aupakaksikt and vaikaksikt.
Thus, the members of the Digambara sect preferred nudity to a great extent while the Svetāmbara monks and nuns used various types of upper and lower garments to cover their bodies.
37. Jain, J.C., Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Juin Canons, p. 132 38. Ibid. 39. JISOA, XII. 1940. p. 35. 40. Jain, J, C., Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, p. 132. 41. Ibid. 42. Bịhatkalpasūtra Bhasya, 3.4082-91, 43. Acharangasūtra, 2, 5. 1. 364.