Unknown Pilgrims

SR No.: 007014
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: N Shanta
Publisher: Sri Satguru Publications Delhi
Publication Year: 1997
Total Pages: 820
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

Page 436

PART III
THE NEVER-ENDING PILGRIMAGE
Through knowledge, faith, right conduct, austerity, patience, freedom from cupidity, mayst thou grow (in perfection)!!
The life of the sădhvis is a never-ending pilgrimage. They go on foot from place to place, they make a stop here or there, for some days or some weeks, and then take the road again. This itinerant life is a sign of their inner pilgrimage, of which the goal, the sole goal, is nirvāṇa, while the means of reaching nirvāṇa is constant vigilance in a sustained effort to purify the atman. It is for the sake of this purification that the sādhvis are anagāris, homeless ones, with no fixed abode. This ceaseless pilgrimage is intended to help them to be free of all attachment and at the same time it enables them to become apostles of the dharma. Throughout the duration of their vihāras (journeys from place to place) the sādhvis lead amongst themselves a very close community life and also always enter into relationship with the samgha of the place where they are staying; however, each pursues her own inner pilgrimage in the solitude of her own ātman. The ācārya, the guruņi and the elder sådhvis act as guides and valued helps, but it is by personal effort that the lengthy and slow purificatory process is achieve. This effort is sustained by the example of the tirthankaras, above all by that of Mahāvira, and by the example of so many ascetics, both men and women.
nāņeņa daṁsaņeņaṁ ca caritteņa taveņa ya khaṁtie muttie vaddhamāņo bhavähi ya. US XXII, 26. After the diksā of Neminātha, Vasudeva or Krşņa, on leaving him, addresses to him these words of blessing; cf. P 103.