Here are simple, traditional guidelines for how a Jain shravak/shravika should behave with sadhus and sadhvis.

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1. Basic attitude

Do’s

• Keep shraddhā (deep respect) and vinay (humility) in mind before you approach.
• Remember: they are Mahāvratī (observers of great vows), so treat them as gurus, not as ordinary people.
• Approach with a peaceful mind, not in anger, hurry, or excitement.

Don’ts

• Don’t approach with ego, argumentative mood, or to “test” them.
• Don’t treat them like social guests or entertainers.

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2. Physical behaviour (body)

Do’s

• Maintain a respectful distance; usually sit lower than them if possible.
• Fold your hands and do vandanā (salutation) calmly.
• Allow them clear space to walk; move aside gently when they pass.
• If they come for gochari (alms), offer bhikshā quietly and respectfully, without hurry or show.

Don’ts

• Do not touch them:

- No touching of feet, hands, or clothing. - No support by hand (like helping them climb stairs) unless the tradition and guru clearly allow a certain method – even then, follow local maryādā (discipline) exactly.

• Don’t stand or sit too close, crowd around, or lean over them.
• Don’t push others to get “front position” near them.

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3. Speech (how to talk)

Do’s

• Speak softly, briefly and respectfully.
• Use proper respectful terms like:

- “Gurudev”, “Maharaj Saheb”, “Āchārya Shri”, “Sadhuji”, “Pūjya Sādhviji” etc. (according to your sect).

• Ask dharmic questions: about right conduct, samayik, pratikraman, vows, etc.
• If you have a personal problem, present it shortly and honestly, and ask for upadeś (guidance), not miracles.

Don’ts

• Don’t call them by personal name only, or in a casual tone.
• Don’t argue, debate, or try to prove yourself right.
• Don’t talk about:

- Business, politics, gossip. - Criticism of other people. - Worldly entertainment and useless topics.

• Don’t raise your voice or interrupt them when they speak.

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4. Mental attitude (bhāv)

Do’s

• Keep bhakti (devotion) with vivek (discrimination): respect the ideal of monkhood, not just personality.
• If you see some behaviour you don’t understand, keep kshamā-bhāv (forgiving attitude) and avoid instant judgement.
• Take their words as spiritual guidance, not as an order for worldly gains.

Don’ts

• Don’t think “they must solve all my material problems.”
• Don’t get over-attached to one sadhu/sadhvi and start disrespecting others.
• Don’t sit with doubt, jealousy or comparison in mind.

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5. On giving and serving (sevā & dān)

Do’s

• When you offer food, clothes, or other necessities:

- Ensure they are pure, ahimsak, and suitable to their vow limits. - Offer without pride and without expecting special treatment or blessings in return.

• Help arrange proper accommodation (upāśray/āvasthān), safety, and basic needs according to tradition.

Don’ts

• Don’t force them to accept:

- More food or items than they allow by their vows. - Money, bank facilities, tickets, etc., if not permitted in their code.

• Don’t do display seva just for social status or photos.
• Don’t argue with them if they refuse something due to their rules.

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6. Special care with sadhvis (nuns)

Do’s

• Men should be extra careful:

- Keep more distance. - Avoid even the possibility of physical contact.

• Women may serve more closely, but still with full maryādā and modesty.

Don’ts

• Men must never try to sit too close, pass objects by touching hands, or create any situation of physical nearness.
• Avoid light jokes, over-friendliness, or repeated private meetings.

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7. Children and youth

Do’s

• Teach children to:

- Fold hands, bow slightly, say “Jai Jinendra” or appropriate greeting. - Sit quietly when listening to pravachan.

• Let children ask simple dharmic questions at the proper time, under your supervision.

Don’ts

• Don’t allow children to:

- Run around them. - Touch their belongings (rajoharan, muhpatti, etc.). - Talk loudly or disturb their rest, paath, or meditation.

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8. Times you should not disturb them

Do’s

• Avoid going to them during:

- Their samayik, pratikraman, swādhyāy (scripture study), dhyan (meditation) or rest time.

• Best is to meet them in the public pravachan / darshan time they usually fix.

Don’ts

• Don’t wake them from sleep or disturb them for small personal matters.
• Don’t insist on private time when they are clearly busy in dharma-kritya (religious duty).

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9. If you make a mistake

• If you feel you might have:

- Spoken rudely, - Come too close, - Disturbed them at a wrong time,

• Then:

- Do vinay-pūrvak prārthnā (humbly say sorry), - And in your own pratikraman, do ālochana–pratikraman for any aparādha (fault) towards guru.

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These simple do’s and don’ts help us maintain guru-bhakti and protect the maryādā of Jain monkhood, which is a very important part of Jain Dharma.