Role of Jain Monks and

Nuns in The Society

 

Jain monks (The discussion

appliesto Jain nuns as well)

take five major vows when

they renounce the world
and enter into the

order of monkshood.
These five vows do not permit
them to indulge into the affairs

of the society, be it political,

socio- charitable or

any other activities.

Once a man

renounces the comforts

of his household life

and cuts the ties

with his families

and friends, he must

spend his time in meditation

and his only goal remains

the upliftment of his soul.

Due to his vows of observing non-violence in the subtlest form he cannot travel by using mechanical means of transport nor can he involve himself in other people’s day-to-day problems and affairs.
This will merely cause

the karma- bondage.

He has to seek salvation

for his own soul.
It would not be right for him
to engage in political activities.
According to the belief held

by many monks,the Jain

renouncer should also not open

social institutions.
As a monk, he should

keep away from the financial

matters of any person.
His vows do not allow

him to stay in one place

for longer periods

(Except during the

months of monsoon).

Therefore a Jain monk’s life style is somewhat different

then clergies of other religions.

 

However, if you look back

in the history of Jainism

you would see that there

were monks and nuns who took

active part in the politics

of the prevailing era.
Some were very influential in the political field and had even some sort of control
in decision-making process.
Ganga dynasty in South India
and Solanki dynasty in Gujarat
are the two famous examples.

 

There are instances where some monks took more interest in the social reform of the society and some were engaged towards the eradication of poverty and diseases

in parts of India.

 

One can argue about the rights
and wrongs of this situation but
history tells us that these activities have helped the cause of promotion of Jainism.
I have sighted some cxamples
here where Jain monks and

nuns have divulged

from their normal ‘Jain practices‘

but their very acts 

have helped a great deal

in the spread ofJainism.

 

SOME PROMINENT JAIN ASCETICS WHO TOOK PART IN THE POLITICS, SOCIAL-CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES.

 

Kalkāchārya-

(First Century BCE.): –
He has been sighted as one of the first Jains to be involved in politics.
He had a very positive influence
on the Sahi (Persian?) king.
Kalkacharya’s sister (who was a nun) was abducted by the king of Ujjain who ordered that this woman should be brought to his court and serve him as his courtesan. Kalkāchārya was outraged by this and sought the help of the Sahi king.

Sahi invaded Ujjain and
established his own rule there.
Kalkāchārya was favourite
of the new Sahi king.

 

Simhanandi:- Simhanandi was a Jain monk who had great powers of influence.
He played the role of

the kingmaker and encouraged

Jain sympathisers to get

involved in politics.
Simhanandi himself established

the Ganga Dynasty in

Karnataka State in AD 265.

Simhanandi commanded political

influence to effectively

function as the kingmaker
and subsequent Ganga rulers were all staunch Jains.
Most famous of Ganga chieftains was Chamundraya who commissioned the
great Bahubali image in AD 981.

 

Shilguna Soori:- In AD 745, A certain chieftain Vanraja had established the kingdom of Pätan (a town in North
Gujarat) with the help of a

monk called Shilguna Soori.
This was a starting point for
the Jain influence in Gujarat.
King Vanraja gave prominence to Jain monks and had many temples built.
The tradition of keeping Jains
as the chief ministers started.
The migration of Jains from Marwad to Gujarat started from that time onwards.

 

Hemchandracharya:- The Jain influence in Gujarat steadily increased after AD 745. Hemchandrāchārya was born

in AD 1088.

And his influence in the

kingdom of Solanki kings

was so great that

he impressed two great kings
Sidhharāj and Kumārpāl.
Kumārpāl became a Jain’
and had many temples built.
(Famous being that of Taranga).
This was perhaps golden period for Jainism.

 

Hirvijay Soori (15th Century):-

This great monk preached

the Mogul emperor Akbar.

His influence encouraged

Akbar to order
all of the slaughter-houses to be closed during Jain festivities.
He also gave the mountain of Sammetshikhar to the Jains.

 

Nanchandraji (1874-1938):- Nanchandaji established institutions in Limbdi and Sayla. He was impressed by the Gandhian
philosophy and worked for the
Gandhian movement.

 

Vijayvallabh soori (1870-1954):-
The founder of the institute called ‘Atmanand Jain Sabha’.
Vijayvallabh Soori is known as the reformer and founder of many Jain Schools.
These includes the famous
Mahavir Jain Vidyālaya
(a boarding house for Jain students)

 

Santbalji (1903-1982):- Santbālji was Nänchandraji’s disciple.
He had undertaken all sorts of social, reformist activities.
Because of his activities he
was expelled from his own sangha.
He too followed the Gandhian philosophy.

 

Charitravijayji (1883-1917):-

He was first a Sthānakvāsi

monk but was later converted

into a Derāvāsi sect.
He is known as the founder

of Pälitānā Jain Gurukul-

a boarding house for

poor Jain girls.
Once he saved dozens of people

who were being carried away

by the torrential rain

and the floods in Pälitänä.
He himself swam and threw

a rope to the drowning

people to save them.