Jain muni
Encyclopedia
Jain Muni or simply Muni is the term often used for monk
s and nuns in Jainism
.. They are often called sadhu
s and sadhvis, respectively, in the Svetambara
traditions.
. Full munis in both the Svetambara and Digambara traditions are assigned to different ranks as mentioned in the Namokar Mantra:
In the Digambara traditions, a junior monk can have several ranks:
The Terapanthi sect of the Svetambara has a new rank of junior monks, samana
.
. The five Mahavratas are the five great vows that full monastics observe.
For lay Jains, who may marry and possess property, there is a corresponding set of Five Vows, the Anuvratas.
The Three Restraints
The Five Carefulnesses
During this period, it is a suitable time for lay Jains to have an annual renewal of the faith by listening to teachings of the Dharma and through meditation and vartas (self-control).
Some famous Jain monks currently living (sadhu or muni or maharaj) are as follows:
Monk
A monk is a person who practices religious asceticism, living either alone or with any number of monks, while always maintaining some degree of physical separation from those not sharing the same purpose...
s and nuns in Jainism
Jainism
Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state...
.. They are often called sadhu
Sadhu
In Hinduism, sādhu denotes an ascetic, wandering monk. Although the vast majority of sādhus are yogīs, not all yogīs are sādhus. The sādhu is solely dedicated to achieving mokṣa , the fourth and final aśrama , through meditation and contemplation of brahman...
s and sadhvis, respectively, in the Svetambara
Svetambara
The Śvētāmbara is one of the two main sects of Jainism, the other being the Digambar. Śvētāmbara "white-clad" is a term describing its ascetics' practice of wearing white clothes, which sets it apart from the Digambara "sky-clad" Jainas, whose ascetic practitioners go naked...
traditions.
Monastic ranks
A Jain monastic has neither a permanent home nor any possessions, wandering barefoot from place to place except during the ChaturmasChaturmas
Chaturmas is a holy period of four months , beginning on Shayani Ekadashi—the eleventh day of the first bright half, Shukla paksha, of Ashadh —until Prabodhini Ekadashi, the eleventh day of the first bright half of Kartik in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.Chaturmas is reserved the...
. Full munis in both the Svetambara and Digambara traditions are assigned to different ranks as mentioned in the Namokar Mantra:
- AcharyaAcharyaIn Indian religions and society, an acharya is a guide or instructor in religious matters; founder, or leader of a sect; or a highly learned man or a title affixed to the names of learned men...
: leader of the order - UpajjhayaUpajjhayaAn Upajjhāya is a teacher in the Indian religions of South Asia.An upajjhāya is specifically a professional teacher in the technical subjects of Vedanga, i.e. Sanskrit grammar and other basic skills required for the perusal of the Vedas...
: a learned monk, who both teaches and studies himself - Muni: an ordinary monastic
In the Digambara traditions, a junior monk can have several ranks:
- Ailak: wearing one piece of cloth
- KshullakKshullakA kshullak is a junior Digambar Jain monk. A kshullak wears two garments as opposed to a full monk who wears no clothes.A kshullak is sometimes accorded the title Varni, when they are engaged in studying and teaching....
: using two pieces of cloth - AryikaAryikaAryika is the title by which Jain nuns are referred to, specially in the Digambar tradition.In some parts of India, it takes the form Ajji.-See also:* Jain muni* Shravanabelagola*...
: all women monastics are junior and wear clothing
Shramana
A shramana is a wandering monk in certain ascetic traditions of ancient India including Jainism, Buddhism, and Ājīvikism. Famous śramaṇas include Mahavira and Gautama Buddha....
.
Mahavratas
As prescribed by ancient texts such as the Acharanga, the requirements on full monastics are quite strict and emerge from the teachings of MahaviraMahavira
Mahāvīra is the name most commonly used to refer to the Indian sage Vardhamāna who established what are today considered to be the central tenets of Jainism. According to Jain tradition, he was the 24th and the last Tirthankara. In Tamil, he is referred to as Arukaṉ or Arukadevan...
. The five Mahavratas are the five great vows that full monastics observe.
- NonviolenceNonviolenceNonviolence has two meanings. It can refer, first, to a general philosophy of abstention from violence because of moral or religious principle It can refer to the behaviour of people using nonviolent action Nonviolence has two (closely related) meanings. (1) It can refer, first, to a general...
(AhimsaAhimsa in JainismAhiṃsā in Jainism is a fundamental principle forming the cornerstone of its ethics and doctrine. The term "ahimsa" means “non-violence”, “non-injury” or absence of desire to harm any life forms. Vegetarianism and other non-violent practices and rituals of Jains flow from the principle of Ahiṃsā...
) - Truth (SatyaSatyaSatya is a Sanskrit word that loosely translates into English as "truth" or "correct". It is a term of power due to its purity and meaning and has become the emblem of many peaceful social movements, particularly those centered on social justice, environmentalism and vegetarianism.Sathya is also...
) - Non-stealing (AsteyaAsteyaAsteya is a Sanskrit word meaning "avoidance of stealing" or "non-stealing". In Jainism, it is one of the five vows that all Śrāvakas and Śrāvikās as well as monastics must take....
) - Chastity (BrahmacharyaBrahmacharyaBrahmacharya is one of the four stages of life in an age-based social system as laid out in the Manu Smrti and later Classical Sanskrit texts in Hinduism. It refers to an educational period of 14–20 years which starts before the age of puberty. During this time the traditional vedic sciences are...
) - Non-possession/DetachmentDetachmentDetachment, also expressed as non-attachment, is a state in which a person overcomes his or her attachment to desire for things, people or concepts of the world and thus attains a heightened perspective.-Importance of the term:...
(AparigrahaAparigrahaAparigraha is the concept of non-possessiveness, being both a Jain concept and a part of the Raja Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga traditions. The term usually means to limit possessions to what is necessary or important, which changes with the time period, though sadhus would not have any possessions.It is...
)
For lay Jains, who may marry and possess property, there is a corresponding set of Five Vows, the Anuvratas.
Guptis and Samitis
Apart from the Mahavratas, monastics also observe the Three Restraints and Five Carefulnesses.The Three Restraints
- Mind (Managupti)
- Speech (Vacanagupti)
- Body (Kayagupti)
The Five Carefulnesses
- While walking (Irya Samiti)
- While communicating (Bhasha Samiti)
- While eating (Eshana Samiti)
- While handling their fly-whisks, water gourds, etc. (Adana Nikshepana Samiti)
- While disposing of bodily waste matter (Pratishthapana Samiti)
Mahavira's asceticism
The Jain text of Kalpasutra describes Mahavira's asceticism in detail, from whom most of the ascetic practices (including the gupti's and samitis) are derived:Chaturmas
Chaturmas means the four months of the monsoon, during which monastics stay in one place. Staying in one place during the monsoon reduces the risk of causing accidental death to numerous insects and smaller forms of life that thrive during the rains.During this period, it is a suitable time for lay Jains to have an annual renewal of the faith by listening to teachings of the Dharma and through meditation and vartas (self-control).
Famous historical Jain monks
Some of the famous Jain Acharyas in approximate chronological order, are:- Gautam Ganadhara
- Ganahar Sudharma Swami
- Jambu Swami
- Bhadrabahu (undivided sangha, Chandragupta MauryaChandragupta MauryaChandragupta Maurya , was the founder of the Maurya Empire. Chandragupta succeeded in conquering most of the Indian subcontinent. Chandragupta is considered the first unifier of India and its first genuine emperor...
was his disciple) (325 BCE) - SthulabhadraSthulabhadraSthulabhadra was a disciple of Acharya Bhadrabahu. The Swetambar tradition of Jainism trace their lineage through Sthulabhadra.He was a son of the Nanda's minister Sakadala. He became a disciple of Sambhutavijaya. Later he became a disciple of Bhadrabahu to learn the Purvas...
(Svetambar tradition) - Ilango AdigalIlango AdigalIlango Adigal was a Tamil poet and a Jain monk, who was instrumental in the creation of Silappathikaram, one of the five great epics of Tamil Literature. Prince Ilango was the brother of Chera king Cheran Chenguttuvan , in South India. Ilango Adigal was born in the Chera dynasty that ruled parts...
- KundakundaKundakundaKundakunda is a celebrated Jain Acharya, Jain scholar monk, 2nd century CE, composer of spiritual classics such as: Samayasara, Niyamasara, Pancastikayasara, Pravacanasara, Atthapahuda and Barasanuvekkha. He occupies the highest place in the tradition of the Jain acharyas.He belonged to the Mula...
, (Digambar tradition) (2nd century CE) - Spolniodnos, (Digambar tradition) (3–4th century CE)
- Siddhasen DiwakarSiddhasen DiwakarSiddhasen Diwakar was a highly intelligent Jain acharya of his time. Siddhasen could study the scriptures and realize their truth in a short time. In due course he became the best known Jain scholar of the time. He was like the illuminating lamp of the Jain order and therefore came to be known...
, (claimed by both) (5th century CE) - Manatunga composer of Bhaktamar Stotra, (claimed by both)
- HaribhadraHaribhadraHaribhadra Suri was a Svetambara mendicant Jain leader and author.-History:There are multiple contradictory dates assigned to his birth. These include 459, 478, and 529. However, given his familiarity with Dharmakirti, a more likely choice would be sometime after 650...
,(Svetambar tradition), (700–750 CE) - Akalanka, (Digambar tradition), (620–680 CE)
- VirasenaVirasenaĀchārya Virasena was an 8th century Indian mathematician and Jain philosopher and scholar. He was a student of the Jain sage Elāchārya. He is also known to be a famous orator and an accomplished poet. His most reputed work is the Jain treatise Dhavala. Late Dr. Hiralal Jain places the completion of...
, (Digambar tradition), (790–825 CE) - JinasenaJinasenaJinasena is the name of several famous Jain Acharyas of the Digambar tradition.* The author of Harivamsha Purana in the 8th century. He belonged to the Punnata branch of Jain monks....
, (Digambar tradition), preceptor of RashtrakutaRashtrakutaThe Rashtrakuta Empire was a royal dynasty ruling large parts of the Indian Subcontinent between the sixth and the 10th centuries. During this period they ruled as several closely related, but individual clans. Rastrakutas in inscriptions represented as descendants of Satyaki, a Yadava well known...
rulers, (800–880 CE). - NemichandraNemichandraNemichandra Siddhanta Chakravarty , was the celebrated author of Dravyasamgraha, Gomattasara , Triloksara, Labdhisara and Kshapanasara. He was among the most distinguished of the Jain Acharyas....
, (Digambar tradition) - Hemachandra,(Svetambar tradition), preceptor of Kumarapala, (1089–1172 CE)
- Jagadguru Hira Vijaya Suri, (Svetambar tradition), who was invited by Akbar, the Mughal emperor
- RajendrasuriAcharya RajendrasuriAcharya Rajendrasuri was the major Svetambara Jain reformer of the 18th and 19th centuries. He was born on 3 December 1826 at Bharatpur, Rajasthan. In 1880, as the leader of the Tapa Gaccha, he led a movement to restore the orders of wandering monks, leading to near extinction of the Yati...
(Svetambar tradition)(1827–1906) - Acharya shri Ramchandrasuriji (Svetambar tradition)(Samvat 1952–2047).
- Acharya Shri 108 Aadisagarji Maharaj (Ankalikar)(Digambar tradition) (1866–1944)http://www.jainreligion.in/Jain_Muni/Aadisagarji_Maharaj.asp
- ShantisagarShantisagarAcharya Shri Shantisagar Maharaj, Charitra Chakravarti was the first Digambar Jain Acharya of the 20th century, and the first Digambar Jain monk to wander in North India after several centuries....
, (Digambar tradition) (1872–1955) - Acharya VidyasagarAcharya VidyasagarAcharya Vidyasagarji is the best known of the modern Digambar Jain Acharyas of the modern times, known both for his scholarship and tapasya.- Biography :...
, (Digambar tradition) (Born 1946)
Famous modern Jain monks
- List of All Digamber Jain Monks With detailed description
- Acharya Vidyanandaji
- Acharya VidyasagarAcharya VidyasagarAcharya Vidyasagarji is the best known of the modern Digambar Jain Acharyas of the modern times, known both for his scholarship and tapasya.- Biography :...
ji - Panyasprabh Shree Chandrashekhar Vijayji Maharaj Saheb
- Upadhyay Sri Udarsagr ji Maharaj
- Muni sri Abhay Sagar ji Maharaj
- Muni sri Kshama sagar ji Maharaj
- Muni sri Saral sagar ji Maharaj
- Acharya Shri Vimal sagar ji Maharaj
- Acharya Shri Bharat sagar ji Maharaj
- Aacharya Shri Pushpadant Sagar Ji Maharaj
- Muni Shri 108 Pulak Sagar Ji Maharaj
- Upadhyay Muni Shri 108 Gupti Sagar Ji Maharaj
- Muni Shri 108 Praman Sagar Ji Maharaj
- Muni Shri 108 Arun Sagar Ji Maharaj
- Muni Shri 108 Prakarsh Sagar Ji Maharaj
- Acharya Shri 108 Dev Nandi Ji Maharaj
- Acharya Shri 108 Gyan Bhusan Ji Maharaj
- Acharya Shri 108 Sukumal Nandi Ji Maharaj
- Muni Shri 108 Nayan Sagar Ji Maharaj
- Acharya BhikshuAcharya BhikshuAcharya Bhikshu was one of the great revolutionary saints and reformer of Jainism. He was the founder and first spiritual head of the Svetambar Terapanth sect of Jainism....
- Acharya Jeetmal ji (Nickname – Jayacharya)
- Acharya TulsiAcharya TulsiAcharya Tulsi was a Jainist Acharya . He was the founder of the Anuvrata and the Jain Vishva Bharti Institute, Ladnun and the author of over one-hundred books. Dr. Radhakrishnan in his "Living with Purpose" included him in the world's 15 great persons. He was given the title "Yuga-Pradhan" in a...
- Acharya MahaprajnaAcharya MahaprajnaAcharya Shri Mahapragya was the tenth Acharya, supreme head of the Svetambar Terapanth sect of Jainism. Mahapragya was a highly venerable saint, yogi, spiritual leader, philosopher, author, orator, poet....
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- Tarun Sagar Ji Maharaj
- Acharya Sanmati Sagar Ji Maharaj
- Acharya Sunil Sagar Ji Maharaj
- Jain Muni
Famous Jain nuns of 20th Century
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- Ganini Pramukh Shri Gyanmati Mataji
- Sadhvi KanakprabhaSadhvi KanakprabhaSadhvi Kanakprabha was born in the old capital of India Calcutta on 22 July 1941.She attended Parmarthik Shikshan Sanstha, Ladnun , at the age of 15. Her decision to lead the life of an ascetic was realised at the age of 19 after finishing her studies in Ladnun...
- Sadhvi Acharya Chandana
- Samani Charitra Pragya