Loquacious Warriors: Passive–Aggressive Jaina Monks of Early Medieval Karnataka

Jainism is known for its uncompromising emphasis on asceticism as the only way to attain the soteriological goal of mokṣa. The life and teachings of the Tīrthaṅkaras exemplify the required commitment to an ascetic mode of living to prevent the influx of new karma (saṃvara) and eradicate the already existing karmas (nirjarā) before finally attaining the spiritual
deliverance. As a result of the dominant position of asceticism in Jainism, the Jaina intelligentsia has invested a lot of effort in formally codifying the ascetic virtues, conduct and practices of the Jaina monastic order. Despite the difference of opinions over ascetic praxis and conduct, a Jaina ascetic is visualised as a social recluse who lives a peripatetic life adhering
to physical, emotional and psychological restraints, while emulating the virtues of the Tīrthaṅkaras and strictly following the five great vows (mahāvratas) of ahiṃsā (abstaining from killing any living being), satya (speaking nothing but the truth), asteya (refusal to accept what is not freely given, non-stealing), brahmacarya (observing life-long celibacy) and aparigraha (non-possession of material wealth).