The Jain Monastic Life: Liberation or Bust.

Depending on your source, there are between 4 and 10 million Jains in the world,
making it one of the smallest of the world’s religions. Out of those numbers, only a small
fraction become Sadhus or Sadhvis (monks and nuns, respectively).
I’m beginning to understand why.
Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara and founder of modern Jain philosophy, once said,
“The unenlightened takes millions of lives to extirpate the effects of karma whereas a
man possessing spiritual knowledge and discipline obliterates them in a single
moment.“
That spiritual knowledge and discipline comes from the monastic life of complete and
total renunciation. Most of the Jain laity aspire to reach this level of commitment either
in this life or one soon after, and it is for this reason that the lay community supports the
monastic orders.
There are two main sects within the Jain philosophy: 1) Digambara (“sky-clad”) and 2)
Svetambara (“white clad”). Within these two groups are many sub-sects, however there
are little doctrinal differences between the major divisions of the Jain way. Separation
comes from differences in rites and practices. For example the Digambara sects are
“sky-clad,” meaning they’ve renounced even wearing clothing, as it displays attachment
to earthly items and concepts/emotions such as shame. According to their philosophy,
they wear the very atmosphere around them. The Svetambara or “white clad” sect wear
simple white robes and also believe that women can achieve moksha (liberation). The
Digambara do not believe this because of social restraints on women.
Within these groups are those who worship idols of the Tirthankaras with puja (worship
rituals) and reform movements which reject the use of or worship of idols. All groups
observe ahimsa (non-violence) as the most important part of their philosophy.
Each group takes a specific vow of behavior and renunciation. Some sects add to this
list. In general, the vows go as follows:
Absolute non-violence
Absolute truthfulness
Absolute non-stealing
Absolute celibacy
Absolute non-attachment

The Five Vows

(All Jains, including the laity, strive for these vows to some degree. Only the monks and
nuns follow them completely).
In addition, we have the Gupti (Three Restraints) and the Samiti (Five Carefulness)
Gupti:
Control of mind
Control of speech
Control of body
Samiti:
Carefulness while walking
Carefulness while communicating
Carefulness while eating
Carefulness while handling whisks, water gourds, etc
Carefulness while excreting waste
Again, for the monks/nuns and laity both, all of these principles center on ahimsa (non-
injury). All must take care in everything they do, for even a harmful thought toward
another–regardless of the species–is considered violence.
So, what was my first full day like living as a Jain monk? Hard. Just to be clear, I chose
to live this way for November for two reasons: 1) I wanted to explore the extremes of
religious practice (monasticism). 2) Because the Buddhist and Jain laity are very similar,
the difference between my experience in May and November would be very little.
Otherwise, I only get one chance to do this. Just one year. I want to make the most of
this experience.
A Jain monk’s life is centered around his or her progress toward moksha and so there is
little time or room for anything else. With this in mind, Sadhus and Sadhvis spend their
time teaching Dharma (the faith) to the laity, or in meditation/study of the Jain path.
Project Conversion is my opportunity to both learn and teach. I do this at the beginning
of the day, sitting on the floor in my robes while writing a post.
Other than that, I meditate on the “12 Contemplations” (Bhavanas) which include
impermanence, the universe, and protection. In addition, I study Jain philosophy
through the Agams, or scriptures.

Study and meditation outside.

In the tradition of the Digambara sect, I only take food once a day (around noon), and
only what I can fit in my cupped hands. Traditionally, monks visit many homes of the
laity and only take a small amount of food from each. I don’t exactly have a lot of Jain
laity to visit in my town, so my wife and kids fill the role.

My youngest daughter giving alms. Jains observe a strict vegetarian diet.

Different sects have various rules here, but for the most part, Jain monks and nuns do
not stay in one location for more than a few days. Many monks will spend the night in
temples where they teach, only to pick up the next day and walk barefoot to the next.
Others (especially the sects which do not have temples for the idols) stay in special
buildings called sthanakas or “meditation halls.” A few spend the evening in special
additions made to the homes of the laity.
The idea here is non-attachment. This includes attachment to comforts and our
surroundings. I don’t have random places to stay, so to honor this tradition, I sleep on
the floor in various parts of my house.

My night accommodations.
I lasted until about 2 a.m. After that, I set my butt on the couch. I will try for longer
periods each night until I either lose my mind or overcome the discomfort.
This is the way I’ve chosen to live this month. Not everyone agrees with it but it’s a way
of life many hold dear. This isn’t about “Look at me! Look at me!” it’s all about “Look at
this! Look at this!” November is the only month I’ve chosen to observe a monastic
lifestyle (as closely as I can) because I think it nicely rounds out the religious experience
this year. We don’t have to agree with the practices of others to learn from them.