Digambara

Digambara (sky clad) is a school of Jainism whose monks do not wear clothing. The Sanskrit word Digambar is a combination of two Sanskrit words. One Dig means directions and another Ambar means sky. Digambar saints do not wear any clothes. They carry a Picchi which made by fallen peacock feathers for clearing the place, a Kamandalu to carry water and books called Shastras to read.

Without clothes, human may remain worries-free. He does not need water to wash clothes. Jain saints have vanished the difference of sin and virtue, good and bad. Why do they need to wear clothes to hide their nudity” ¹Sinclair Stevenson

The monks do not put any cloth on their body. Digambar Jain saints return to their natural condition is like a child, who has no ill-thoughts. There is nothing like discourteous in being nude. They left everything like essential living material and bad thinking also. A key practice for Digambara monks is the topic principle of ahimsa (non harming). Not wearing anything clothing is destined to avoid harming any living thing.

Today, most of the naked holy men of India are associated with the Jains, members of a major Indian religions founded about 500 B.C. Mahavira, founder of the Jains, insisted on complete nudity for the monks as part of their vow to give up all worldly goods. In time there was a split in this group, nakedness being too much of a hardship for Jains in the colder northern parts of India. These northerners donned robes and became known as Suetambaras, or ‘white clad,” while the southerners were thereafter referred to as Digambaras, or “clothed with the sky.” The Jains have many followers in India today. ² Aileen Goodson

From the ancient India to modern India nude Jain saints move across the country with dignity and respect. They were allowed to go anywhere. They are seen moving full nude in big cities. Everyone, including ladies and young girls see these saints without any ill-thoughts. They often arrange food for these saints.

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