Once a layperson has gotten rid of all of their karma and become a monk they perform a practice called hair plunking. They remove all the hair on their bodies.

The Svetambara monks and nuns both wear one to two simple white cloths and also wear a mouth covering to make sure they don't swallow any bugs. They do this because they are strict vegetarian, a spider is still considered meat.

The Diagambara monks wear no clothing, while the nuns wear a simple white cloth.

..Jainism Terms..

• Svetambara - one of the two main groups of Jainism
• Digambara - the other main group of Jainism
• Ahimsa - "non-harm"
• Hims - "harm"
• Samara - the cycle of rebirth
• Karma - "actions"
• Moksha - end of rebirth, salvation
• Atman - "the self
• Kevalajnana - "infinite knowledge"
• Monk/nun - person who dedicates themselves to practice religious believes to the extreme

..Karma..

Karma is a very important element of Jainism. Karmic residue is what determines if you will reach the stage of moksha, which is liberation. Karma clings to moist souls and falls off dry ones. The soul is moistened by desires, passions and negative emotions. The soul of someone that has reached kevalajnana is free of passions and desires. Once karma has fallen off it doesn't disappear it clings to a moistened soul nearby. When the soul is completely dry and karma can not cling to it and the person attains moksha.

..Jainism Teachings && Vows..

The Jaina have five vows and eight teachings (basic restraints) that lead to liberation.

Five Vows

• AHIMSA, non-harm. This is the MOST important vow and should be followed to full capacity.
• TRUTH. Lying acquires negative karma on your soul.
• NOT STEALING. Laypersons may take what is available to the public but monks and nuns can only take what is given to them.
• SEXUAL RESTRAINT. Laypersons are monogamous while monks and nuns are celibate.
• NON-POSSESSION. Dont own woo much and do not be over attached to your possessions.

Eight Basic Restraints

• Absolutely no meat. Eating meat brings harm to the animals and Jaina believe in non-harm.
• No alcohol. Being under the influence can cause you to harm something or someone. Meaning you would disobey one of the five vows.
• No honey. Honey contains micro-organisms. They dont harm anything. Eating micro-orangisms is harmful.
• Five different figs are forbidden.

..Jainism For Dummies..

Jainism is an ancient religion from India. It is a self help religion meaning there are no Gods and no spiritual beings. There are two kinds of Jainism believers, the Svetambara and the Digambara. Followers, known as the Jainas, live lives of harmlessness and renunciation. Jainas are very strict vegetarians and live simply. Jainas believe in reincarnation in order to reach their ultimate goal which is liberation. In order to reach liberation you have to eliminate all the karma from your soul. The Jainas live by five vows which dictate their actions and thought. Disobeying these vows will but karma on your soul and obeying them will take it off. Regular followers are called laity or laypersons, the follow the rules but not all the time. The professional religious people are called monks and nuns. Monks and nuns have reached liberation and follow the five vows each and every day, all day.