Nishparigrahata

by Muni Sheelgun Vijayji

This is continuation from the series on Jain Sadhu. Read first part here, second part here, third part here, fourth part here and fifth part here.

Nishparigrahata means lack of desire or wants of anything. Things which the Sadhus give up are described below.

1. Sadhus don’t possess even a single penny. Their lifestyle is so beautifully managed — Bhiksha for food, clothes only according to requirement, no worry about future — that they do not need to possess money. Even without possessing a single penny, they command immense respect because actual respect is for character and thoughts and not for money. They get access to food, clothing and shelter without money.

2. They dont keep money, hence they need neither bank lockers nor bank accounts.

3. They don’t possess more than one set of cloth. They only possess so much that they can carry on their shoulders. They may travel from Kashmir to Kanyakumari or from Kolkata to Kandla; they have only the one set of clothes and their books which they carry on themselves. Self-support is a primary thought in their life.

In ancient times, books were not in existence. There were Gurukuls where all the knowledge was transferred orally and the storage area was the brain. But, with changing times and weakened capacity of human brains, books were introduced.

4. Jain Sadhus do not own any vehicles or animals of their own. They do not use any vehicles for transportation nor do they use any animals for the same because they use their legs to travel everywhere. When their legs no longer support them in their journey, they either rest for a while or use wheelchair now-a-days.

5. They do not own any house or temple in their name. They stay in the place owned by the temple or schools after taking prior permission from the respective owner.

6. They do not have a store room of their own to store fruits, dry fruits, etc. They do not worry about availability of food. They visit vegetarian houses in the village they stay and collect food for one time which is explained earlier in the book.

7. All relations of the Sadhu prior to diksha cease to exist. Their brother would no longer be their brother; their parents would no longer remain their parents but remain as a good soul for them. They remain independent of the worldly relations. In brief, they have nothing to do with worldly affairs.

8. The land or properties they own before diksha would no longer be owned by them. They cease to be the owner of any property. They would not be concerned if there is a rise in the value, decrease in the value, property lost or anything related to that.

9. As already mentioned before, Jain Sadhus do not own or use any electric and electronic equipments. That is why they don’t possess mobile phones, laptops, etc.

10. The stationeries they need for studying purpose is obtained by asking the followers to provide. They do not purchase or store stationery like pen, pencils, books etc. If they need books for studying, they borrow it from a library and return it back to the library after the work is done.

11. They do not own or use things like nail cutters, slippers etc.

Here is a list of things they possess.

1. A cloth to be used as Dhoti, traditional Indian wear.

2. Two pieces of cloth for upper body and one warm cloth.

3. A thick cloth thread for dhoti.

4. A cloth for covering face.

5. Something to clean the floor with.

6. To clean things before touching them.

7. A long stick.

8. A small container like a tub.

9. 3–5–7 plate like utensils for food.

10. A bag.

11. Books.

12. Stationeries like pen, pencil.

13. A warm sheet for sleeping.

14. A cotton cloth to spread on that warm cloth.

15. Spectacles (only those who need).

16. Net, to keep away from mosquitoes.

17. An earthen pot for water.

18. A woolen cloth to sit on.

19. Socks made of cloth for those who have problems relating to legs.

20. Tablets for those who are ill.

21. A Mala.

22. Books for notes.

23. Tarpani, for collecting liquids like water, milk, etc.

All these items are carried by Sadhus themselves. If they are weak, their fellow Sadhus may carry them. Apart from these, if they need things like gum for postcards and letters, they borrow it from householders and return them as soon as the work has been done. Even for washing clothes, they borrow necessary items from householders or others. They do not use laundry services as they have only limited number of clothes and also they don’t have money.

In these ways, they maintain this vow with happiness and without worries. They do not expect anything from anybody. And those who do not expect anything are the happiest.

Thus, the 5 great vows prescribed by Lord Mahaveer for Jain Sadhus are explained in brief.

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