Answer

In Jain Dharma, the 28 Mūl Guṇ are the primary qualities or fundamental vows followed by a Jain monk. They are mainly described for Digambar Jain sādhus.

They are divided as follows:

• 5 Mahāvrat – great vows
• 5 Samiti – carefulness in conduct
• 5 Indriya Nirodh – control of the five senses
• 6 Āvaśyak – essential daily duties
• 7 Additional disciplines

Together, these make 28 Mūl Guṇ.

1. Five Mahāvrat

• Ahimsā Mahāvrat – complete non-violence
• Satya Mahāvrat – complete truthfulness
• Achaurya Mahāvrat – complete non-stealing
• Brahmacharya Mahāvrat – complete celibacy
• Aparigraha Mahāvrat – complete non-possession

2. Five Samiti

• Īryā Samiti – carefulness in walking
• Bhāṣā Samiti – carefulness in speech
• Eṣaṇā Samiti – carefulness in accepting food
• Ādāna-Nikṣepaṇa Samiti – carefulness in lifting and placing things
• Utsarga Samiti – carefulness in disposal of bodily waste

3. Five Indriya Nirodh

• Control of touch
• Control of taste
• Control of smell
• Control of sight
• Control of hearing

4. Six Āvaśyak

• Sāmāyik – practice of equanimity
• Chaturviṃśati-stava – praising the 24 Tīrthankars
• Vandanā – reverence to gurus
• Pratikramaṇ – repentance and review of faults
• Pratyākhyān – renunciation and taking discipline
• Kāyotsarga – detachment from the body

5. Seven Additional Disciplines

• Keśa-lonch – plucking of hair
• Achelakatva – complete non-possession of clothing
• Asnāna – not bathing for bodily decoration or comfort
• Bhūmi-śayana – sleeping on the ground
• Adanta-dhāvana – not brushing the teeth for bodily beautification
• Sthiti-bhojana – taking food while standing
• Eka-bhukti – eating only once a day

Spiritual Understanding

The 28 Mūl Guṇ guide a monk toward complete detachment, self-control, non-violence, purity, and liberation. They are not ordinary rules; they are deep disciplines meant to destroy attachment, ego, passions, and karmic bondage.

Takeaway

The 28 Mūl Guṇ are the foundation of Digambar Jain monkhood. They represent the highest path of renunciation, discipline, and spiritual purification in Jain Dharma.