Digambara monk


Digambara monk is a monk in the Digambara tradition of Jainism, and as such an occupant of the highest limb of the four-fold sangha. They are also called Nirgrantha which means "one without any bonds". Digambara monks have 28 primary attributes which includes observance of the five supreme vows of ahimsa, truth, non-thieving, celibacy and non-possession. A Digambara monk is allowed to keep only a feather whisk, a water gourd and scripture with him.
In Jainism, those śrāvakas who wish to attain moksha renounce all possessions and become an ascetic. According to the Jain text, Dravyasamgraha:
Digambara monks are also called nirgrantha which means "one without any bonds". The term originally applied to those of them who were on the point of attaining to omniscience, on the attainment of which they were called munis.
Rishabhanatha is said to be the first Digambara monk of the present half cycle of time. The presence of gymnosophists in Greek records as early as the fourth century BC, supports the claim of the Digambaras that they have preserved the ancient Śramaṇa practice. Acharya Bhadrabahu, Acharya Kundakunda are two of the most revered Digambara monks.

Mūla Guņas (Root virtues)

Every Digambara monk is required to observe 28 mula gunas compulsory. These are also called root-virtues, because it is said that in their absence other saintly virtues cannot be acquired. They are thus like the root, in the absence of which stems and branches tuneless come into being. These twenty-eight primary attributes are: five supreme vows ; five regulations ; five-fold control of the senses ; six essential duties ; and seven rules or restrictions.

Mahavratas

According to Acharya Samantabhadra’s Ratnakaraņdaka śrāvakācāra:
;1.Ahimsa
The first vow of a Digambara monk relates to the observance of ahiṃsā. The monk is required to renounce himsa in all three forms:
The monk shouldn't injure any living being both in actions and thoughts.
;2.Truth
A digambara monk must not say things which, though true, can lead to injury to living beings.
;3. Asteya
Not to take anything if not given. According to the Jain text, Tattvārthasūtra, five observances that strengthen this vow are:
;4. Brahmacharya
Brahmacharya refers to the self-control in respect of sex-function. It means avoiding all the kinds of natural and unnatural sex-gratification.
;5. Aparigraha
Renunciation of worldly things and foreign natures, external and internal

Fivefold regulation of activities

;6. irya samiti
A digambara monk doesn't move about in the dark, nor on grass, but only along a path which is much trodden by foot. While moving, he has to observe the ground in front of him, to the extent of four cubits, so as to avoid treading over any living being. This samiti is transgressed by:
  1. not being careful enough in looking at the ground in front, and
  2. sight-seeing along the route.
;7. bhasha samiti
Not to criticise anyone or speak bad words.
;8. eshana
The observance of the highest degree of purity in the taking of food is eshana samiti. The food should be free from four kinds of afflictions to tarasa jīva, viz
;9. adan-nishep
To be careful in lifting and laying down things.
;10. pratişthāpanā
To dispose of the body waste at a place free from living beings.

Strict control on five senses

;11-16.Panchindrinirodh
This means renouncing all things which appeals to the mind through the senses. This means shedding all attachment and aversion towards the sense-objects pertaining to touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing.

Six Essential Duties

;16.Samayika
The monk is required to spend about six gharis three times a day, that is, morning, noon, and evening, in practising equanimous dispassion.
;17. stuti
Worship of the four and twenty Tirthankaras
;18. vandan
To pay obeisances to siddhas, arihantas and acharya
;19. Pratikramana
Self-censure, repentance; to drive oneself away from the multitude of karmas, virtuous or wicked, done in the past.
;20. Pratikhayan- Renunciation
;21. Kayotsarga
Giving up attachment to the body and meditate on soul.

Seven rules or restrictions (''niyama'')

;22. adantdhavan
Not to use tooth powder to clean teeth
;23. bhushayan
To rest only on earth or wooden pallet.
;24. Asnāna
Non-bathing- A digambara monk doesn't take baths. In his book "Sannyāsa Dharma", Champat Rai Jain writes:
;25. ekasthiti-bhojana
Taking food in a steady, standing posture.
;26. ahara
The monk consume food & water once in a day. He accepts pure food free from forty-six faults, thirty-two obstructions, and fourteen contaminations.
;27. Keśa-lonch
To pluck hair on the head and face by hand.
;28. nāgnya
To renounce clothes.

Dharma

According to Jain texts, the dharma of a monk is tenfold, comprising ten excellencies or virtues.
The word ‘perfect’ or ‘supreme’ is added to every one of the terms in order to indicate the avoidance of temporal objectives.

Twenty-two afflictions

Jain texts list down twenty-two hardships that should be endured by an ascetic who wish to attain moksha. These are required to be endured without any anguish.
  1. kşudhā – hunger;
  2. trişā – thirst;
  3. śīta – cold;
  4. uşņa – heat;
  5. dañśamaśaka – insect-bite;
  6. nāgnya – nakedness;
  7. arati – displeasure;
  8. strī – disturbance due to feminine attraction;
  9. caryā – discomfort arising from roaming;
  10. nişadhyā – discomfort of postures;
  11. śayyā – uncomfortable couch;
  12. ākrośa – scolding, insult;
  13. vadha – assault, injury;
  14. yācanā – determination not to beg for favours;
  15. alābha – lack of gain; not getting food for several days in several homes;
  16. roga – illness;
  17. traņasparśa – pain inflicted by blades of grass;
  18. mala – dirt of the body;
  19. satkāra-puraskāra – reverence and honour;
  20. prajñā – learning;
  21. ajñāna – despair or uneasiness arising from failure to acquire knowledge;
  22. adarśana – disbelief due to delay in the fruition of meritorious deeds.

    External austerities

According to the Jain text, Sarvārthasiddhi, "Affliction is what occurs by chance. Mortification is self-imposed. These are called external, because these are dependent on external things and these are seen by others."
Several Jain texts including Tattvarthsutra mentions the six external austerities that can be performed:
  1. 'Fasting' to promote self-control and discipline, destruction of attachment.
  2. 'Diminished diet' is intended to develop vigilance in self-control, suppression of evils, contentment and study with ease.
  3. 'Special restrictions' consist in limiting the number of houses etc. for begging food, and these are intended for overcoming desire.
  4. The fourth is 'giving up stimulating and delicious food' such as ghee, in order to curb the excitement caused by the senses, overcome sleep, and facilitate study.
  5. lonely habitation- The ascetic has to 'make his abode in lonely places' or houses, which are free from insect afflictions, in order to maintain without disturbance celibacy, study, meditation and so on.
  6. Standing in the sun, dwelling under trees, sleeping in an open place without any covering, the different postures – all these constitute the sixth austerity, namely 'mortification of the body'.
Jain monks and advanced laypeople avoid eating after sunset, observing a vow of ratri-bhojana-tyaga-vrata. Digambara monks observe a stricter vow by eating only once a day.

Āchārya

Āchārya means the Chief Preceptor or the Head. Āchārya has thirty-six primary attributes consisting in: