Scriptures say men should recite “sadhaar” and women should recite “sabhartaar” so what if the lay reciter is not oriented heterosexually?
Thank you for asking this respectfully.
- “Sādhār” and “Sabhartār” are old Prakrit qualifiers used in some Śvetāmbara-pratikramaṇ recitations for laypeople. They simply mark the householder’s social role: “sādhār” = a man “with wife”; “sabhartār” = a woman “with husband.” They are customary grammatical markers; they do not change the core meaning or merit of the sūtra.
- In Jain Dharma, the decisive factor is bhāva (inner intent) and carefulness (apramatta). One’s sexual orientation is not what these words are pointing to; they refer to grammatical/social role. So, if your tradition uses them, you may recite according to the role you publicly hold as a gṛhastha (householder). The spiritual purpose—cultivating humility, repentance, and restraint—remains the same.
- If these words create inner disturbance (which itself is a kind of mental himsā), most teachers allow a simple, respectful solution: omit the optional qualifier and recite the sūtra itself without adding “sādhār/sabhartār.” The sūtra’s efficacy is in right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct—kevala the bhāva—not in a gendered add-on.
- Different gacchas and lineages handle such details slightly differently. For purity and discipline, follow the approved reading your upādhyāya/āryikā has given for your tradition. If a neutral reading is permitted in your lineage, use that consistently.
Essence: Keep your pratikramaṇ steady, non-violent in thought, and truthful to your tradition. Orientation does not bar you from the practice; choose the form that preserves śuddha-bhāva and your lineage’s discipline.
For a simple overview of lay practice and pratikramaṇ intent, see this guide from JainKnowledge