What to do with the luxurious clothing worn by children after the Diksha ritual?
After Diksha, keeping or re‑using “luxurious” or showy clothes for enjoyment goes against the spirit of renunciation and aparigraha (non‑possession).
A simple, tradition‑aligned way:
- Do not keep them as a memory for pride or display.
- Avoid storing them as “special” clothes that increase mamta (mine‑ness) and maan (pride).
- Prefer donating them with shuddha bhav (pure intention).
- Give them to genuinely needy people, an orphanage, or a charitable trust. - If they are very ornate, they can be given to a Jain trust which may sell/auction them and use the money for dharmic or charitable work.
- Do not use them again for fashion or show.
- For the child who has taken Diksha (or Bal‑Diksha type vows), future clothes should be simple, plain, and modest, not luxurious.
- Offer mentally to Jinendra & Gurus, then let go.
- Before donating, you can do a small namaskar / Navkār Mantra and mentally say: “हे जिनेन्द्र प्रभु, ये वस्त्र जो आसक्ति बढ़ाते हैं, मैं इन्हें छोड़कर सरलता और संयम की ओर बढ़ना चाहता/चाहती हूँ।”
- If in doubt, ask your local Acharya / Guru or temple management.
- Different sanghs may have a set practice (e.g., all Diksha clothes are collected and sent to a specific trust).
The key Jain principle: Diksha = decrease in parigraha and show, increase in simplicity and detachment. So, the best use of luxurious clothing after Diksha is to let it go in a way that helps others and reduces your own attachment.