Significance of Laymen
In Jainism, the term Laymen refers to non-clerical individuals who participate in the broader community while engaging with spiritual practices. This group encompasses a considerable number of ordinary people, ranging from two hundred to nearly three hundred thousand, who are not part of the clergy or monastic orders. Laymen are recognized for their involvement in spiritual teachings and communities, even if they do not have specialized spiritual knowledge or full monastic commitments, thereby showcasing their crucial role in the lay community.
Synonyms: Novice, Outsider, General public
In Dutch: Leken; In Finnish: Maallikot
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Laymen'
In Buddhism, Laymen are common individuals outside the monastic community, including non-monastic landowners, supporters attending lectures, and the general public, who engage with and support the faith without being fully ordained practitioners.
From: Vinaya (2): The Mahavagga
(1) Non-monastic individuals who own a building that can be designated as a kappiya-bhumi.[1]
From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6
(1) Refers to common people who are not monks or practitioners of the faith.[2]
From: Vinaya (3): The Cullavagga
(1) Individuals who are not part of the monastic community, typically referring to the general public.[3]
From: The 6th Patriarch Platform Sutra
(1) Non-monastic supporters or followers of Buddhism present during the lectures.[4]
Jain concept of 'Laymen'
In Jainism, "Laymen" refers to non-clerical individuals who actively support and participate in religious practices, embodying virtues of right-belief while living secular lives, distinct from monks and nuns within the spiritual community.
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) Non-ordained members of a religious community or group.[5] (2) Individuals who may not be fully committed to a spiritual path but engage with spiritual teachings.[6] (3) Individuals who practice Jainism outside of full monastic commitments, often embodying the virtues of right-belief in community settings.[7] (4) Non-clerical people who are part of the broader community, indicating a diverse audience in the context of enlightenment.[8] (5) The male followers of the teachings of the Lord, totaling two hundred and eighty-one thousand.[9]
From: Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary)
(1) Laymen denote ordinary individuals who may leave their homes but do not fully renounce sensual pleasures, thus being categorized differently from ascetics.[10]