YJA Convention 1996 07 San Francisco CA Second

Author(s): Young Jains of America (YJA)
Publisher: Young Jains of America YJA USA

Page 20

THE STATUS OF WOMEN IN JAINISM
by Shaina Varia, Dallas, Texas
The Clothing Dilemma
The capacity of a woman to achieve moksa first arose from the clothing dilemma. Evaluating the basic arguments of both sects, the primary problem seems to be the acceptability of ordained persons to wear clothes. Digambaras claim that a monk has to renounce all his property and possessions. The only exceptions are a small broom to clear the path of living forms and a water gourd (Jaini 1991,7). The Digambaras believe nudity is the fundamental identifying feature of a monk and is essential to reaching nirvana. This central feature of an ascetic's life is the major reason why women can not achieve moksa. The Digambaras do not allow the nudity of women.
Svetambaras acknowledge that Mahavira practiced nudity, but they do not see it an inherent feature of the path to moksa. Nudity, they argue, was a viable option in Mahavira's time but cannot be recommended as a practice in this age of moral degeneration. Svetambaras regard the renunciation of clothes as optional for monks, similar to the practice of austerities such as fasting, which is considered highly commendable yet not mandatory (Jaini 1991,2). However, in response to the claim that clothes constitute material possessions, the Svetambaras claim that clothes should be viewed in the same light as the broom and water cup. Therefore, women use clothes in the same manner as the broom, to help clear the path to salvation.
The Female Body
It is a woman's body itself, which denies her equal status with men. A woman's menstrual cycle has often been popularized as a reminder of her link to nature. Here, women are perceived as being impure. Their biology dictates occurrences which are beyond their control and beyond the control of men. Here, a woman's body is seen as ill-defined and anomalous by nature. They cannot simply begin or end what is happening to them and neither can anyone else.
Unlike men, women cease being able to reproduce. After menopause they no longer have an 'impure' state, menstruation ends. A woman's ability to reproduce also ends. Men, however, continue to have the ability to be a part of the reproduction chain until they die. Men are still linked to procreation, the ability to give life. Their link to this world does not end. Here women can be seen as more pure than men. Although women may now frequent the temple every day, they are still not seen as equal to men.
The Inferiority of Women
Digambaras argue that women are physically, intellectually, ethically, and morally inferior to men. A selection from the Digambara text Tatparyavritti explains that, "The nature of women is full of negligence, and hence they are designated as pramada;
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