________________
been approached several times for the practice of meditation. When I asked this question
during my research, I was told that the monks and nuns just assumed that I was a
practicing Anuvrati already.
In succinct summation of this section, I bring in the quotation of an Indian
professor of Philosophy from my interviews, who articulated the effective role monks
and nuns play in inspiring the masses: "Monks and nuns are in a blissful state without any
possession, their way of living makes a statement of simplicity. They have the moral
authority to preach, and their impact will be far more extensive and deeper. A common
person is impressed and has a sense of reverence for them."84 In this manner, the
statement made by the professor is in akin to the trajectories of how the monastic
community have influenced the progress of the movement in the past and may be able to
influence its success in the future.
84 Kusum Jain, interview by Shivani Bothra, August 7, 2012.
