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 86

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The Unknown Pilgrims
- Part I: a brief account of what tradition and history tell us about the sādhvis,
- Part III: their life, several biographies,
- Part IV: the daily rite.84
What is the purpose of this study? For whom is it written?
The aim of this study is to close a gap in:
- the history of Jaina asceticism,
- the history of universal feminine monasticism,
- and in that of spirituality.
- It is concerned with spirituality and is not a study of the psychology of behaviour or of sociology. These aspects are, certainly, ingredients in the human compound and we take note of them accordingly to the extent to which they are directly associated with the spiritual quest.
- It finds its place in the contemporary inter-cultural, intermonastic encounter: There is not only a question of transmitting the essential of a tradition, but also of arousing interest, establishing cordial relations, bringing about mutual comprehension and enrichment.
- It is addressed in the first place to women contemplatives, who desire to gain knowledge of other ascetic traditions and also to all
84 Each Part is independent, though closely linked with the others. Repetitions are inevitable as the same ideas recur in the history of Jainism, the teaching, the life-style and the rituals, but a particular idea assumes differing aspects according to whether it is studied intrinsically in the doctrine, in the mirabilia of legend, the narrative of history or its practical outworking in daily life.