Jain Sadhu - Sadhvi ji

Who are Jain Sadhu-Sadhvi jis?

Jain Sadhu-Sadhvi jis are people who have chosen to renounces worldly life and follow the five great vows – non-violence, truth, non-stealing, celibacy, and non-possession. When a person decides to give up worldly life, they undergo the initiation process and becomes Sadhu-Sadhvi jis, also known as Shramani or Aryika.

What is the Life and Responsibilities of Sadhu-Sadhvi jis?

After initiation, Sadhu-Sadhvi jis dedicate their life to spiritual practices and self-discipline. They follow a strict regimen to purify their soul and gain spiritual knowledge. Their daily schedule includes meditation, study of scriptures, listening to sermons, and practicing detachment & austerity.

What are the activities Sadhu-Sadhvi jis do not engage in?

Social Activities: They do not participate in any community programs, family ceremonies, etc.

Economic Activities: They do not possess any wealth, property or assets

Apart from the five great vows, they also follow five Samitis (care in walking, speaking, begging for alms, using clothes, and disposing of waste) and three Guptis (control over mind, speech, and body).

What are the additional rules followed by Sadhu-Sadhvi jis?

• They wear plain, white, unstitched or minimally stitched clothes
• They use a Rajoharan to sweep the ground before sitting or lying down to avoid harming insects
• They cover their mouths with a Muhpatti to prevent inhaling and harming tiny creatures in the air
• They use a walking stick and constantly move from place to place, covering about 30 kilometres per day
• They use a begging bowls for food & water, which are painted by their own hands to avoid using brushes made of animal hair
• They drink boiled water throughout their lives, 48 minutes post sunrise
• Once a year, they pluck their hair by hand in a ritual called "Kesh Loch"
• They do not use fans, air conditioners, mobile phones, laptops, televisions or any other modern conveniences
• They bless others by uttering "Dharmalabh" to encourage everyone to become religious and follow dharma.

What are the daily activities of Sadhu-Sadhvi jis?

Religious:

Samayik (meditation), Stavans (devotional songs), Vandana (prayers), Pratikraman (self-reflection), Pratyakhyan (renunciation), and Kayotsarga (abandonment of the body).

Practical:

• Study and recitation of scriptures
• Learning from senior gurus and clarifying concepts
• Gochari or begging for food & water from households to sustain themselves. Food which has already been prepared is accepted in small quantities and cannot be specially made for them.
• The act of lighting a fire to cook is also considered violence to millions of microscopic beings.
• Sadhu-Sadhvi jis have one or two meals before sunset
• They do not bathe throughout their lives
• Clothes are washed once or twice a month

How do Sadhu-Sadhvi jis manage during sickness or illnesses? :

Sadhu-Sadhvi jis avoid using western forms of medicine or getting hospitalized. If they are diagnosed with a life-threatening condition, they voluntarily accept death by fasting.