Gender Roles in Jainism
We have observed that among Jain ascetics the places and roles of women and men vary considerably. The relatively conservative Digambaras allow only monks, not nuns, to go about naked, and they deny that women can attain kevala.
They, unlike the Shvetambaras, also insist that the nineteenth tirthankara was a man. In general, there tend to be fewer distinctions between monks and nuns among Shvetambara Jains. The Sthanakvasi subsect, in which nuns outnumber monks by about five to one, can be said to be relatively liberal, even among Shvetambaras. One Sthanakvasi group has recently taken the unprecedented step of promoting a nun, Candanaji, to the rank of aharya, a general term in Jainism for a “leader” of a group of ascetics.The long history of Jainism reveals some diversity with regard to the places and roles of women and men. One ancient text states that the original group of Mahavira’s followers, both the laity and the ascetics, was composed mostly of women. It also states that during Mahavira’s lifetime 1,400 women, as opposed to 700 men, attained kevala.7-
For most of Jain history, however, women have tended to be regarded as less spiritually capable than men, even among the Shvetambaras. Recently, attitudes have begun to shift. For example, the long-standing assumption that women are prone to lead men away from virtuous lives by tempting them and arousing passions has gradually subsided. Today, the moral fortitude of the chaste Jain woman provides a role model for the proper behavior of women and men alike.
The Dilwara Temple on Mount Abu in the state of Rajasthan is famous for its exquisite, delicate carvings and architectural design.
Jain laywomen occupy vital roles within the family and community, roles that, especially until recently, have tended to differ from those of men, but that have been vital nonetheless. In the chapter’s opening vignette, we entered the home of the Chandras and observed the ritual of giving known as dana. It is difficult to imagine such a scene without the presence of the wife, who takes a leading role in managing household affairs and raising the children. The fact that women tend to be less involved than men in business and other professional concerns means that they tend to have more time and energy to devote to the important lay religious practice of fasting.