how to wear sadhus clothes
In Jain tradition, there are two main ways sadhus (monks) dress, depending on the tradition they follow:
- Digambara (sky-clad): Traditionally, Digambara monks practice nudity as a symbol of ultimate renunciation. They do not wear clothes. In some situations they may use a very small covering or rag, but the core practice is not to wear any clothing. Women who renounce are not Digambara monks; they belong to other Jain communities (often Śvetāmbara tradition).
- Śvetāmbara (white-clad): Śvetāmbara monks wear white robes. They typically wear simple white clothes and may use a small white cloth or belt around the waist as a modest covering. Śvetāmbara nuns wear white sari and cover themselves modestly.
A few practical notes:
- The clothes (or lack thereof) are about renunciation and non-attachment, not fashion.
- For lay followers visiting temples, dress should be modest and respectful: avoid tight/revealing clothing, and in some temples you may be asked to remove footwear or cover shoulders/ knees as a sign of reverence.
- In all cases, cleanliness, humility, and non-violence are the guiding principles.
If you were asking about how to dress a novice or a visitor in a Jain context (e.g., for a play, a chart, or a temple event), tell me the specific tradition (Digambara or Śvetāmbara) and I can give precise, traditional details.