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SEEING HOLY LIFE IN PRACTICE
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what he has passively received in his hands. Whatever has been put in his hands, he himself again examines patiently under many observing eyes before putting it in his mouth. If even the tiniest fly has landed on the food, it is rejected and he refuses all food and drink for the next 24 hours. All this symbolizes their attitude of absolute nonviolence - of absolute harmlessness.
Of course this way of life applies only to sworn ascetics and not to other Jains to the same degree. But most worldly Jains try to approach this behavior as much as possible. Ideally no Jain eats after sunset, because then it would be too dark to see whether any creature might be killed. Water is filtered and boiled before being drunk. Jain monks and nuns of the white-dressed sect often wear a cotton cloth in front of their mouths to prevent them from possibly breathing in tiny creatures or killing any by breathing out. Of course all these modes of behavior are symbolic. Jains know very well that billions of creatures are simply too small to be seen by the naked eye and to be obstructed by filters. This conduct is but an outward expression of an inner attitude.
Monks eat their meals motionlessly and emotionlessly. For at least half an hour they stand just as motionlessly and silently as the stone images of the Jinas, and completely balanced. They will During that time they do not even adjust the position of their feet (photo 3). After having taken food they return to the temple to spend the rest of the day sitting, studying and meditating. The nuns in their white saris do the same, but take their food in their hand while sitting
When I took out my contact lenses before going to rest I considered what it would mean for me if I had to abandon that "garment” – it would mean never being able to read anymore, never being able to see the details of a flower or a piece of art, and being dependent on others for information. These monks are reading and studying continuously. What do they do when their eyes begin to fail? Next day I asked Brahmāchārinī.
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