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SEEING HOLY LIFE IN PRACTICE
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worshipers make obeisance to the statue. But the image is just stone, and does nothing. The Tīrthamkara himself, or any siddha who lives in siddhaloka, is not involved in any worldly matters whatsoever. But the invisible beings around the sculpture can, if and when they want sometimes give a sign, or perform a “miracle” as the simple-minded say, because their realm of existence enables them to do things that are impossible on our physical level. Sudden cures may take place, or somebody is rained upon by saffron spray, etc. It doesn't happen often, but when it does – and that can only be in agreement with the karma of the person involved - such an event is of course a psychological boost for the rest of that person's life. As a result of their tremendous self-control, advanced monks such as the guru of this community also have control over unseen powers, i.e. beings. Brahmāchārini herself had been cured at least once in such a way.
The monks continued their daily routine. Apart from eating and drinking once a day, they all have to go to the “toilet” every day; all at the same time, at a fixed hour. In a long line, all of them carrying a water container and of course their peacock brush, they come out one by one through a side door. It is the only time that they actually move out of the monastery grounds when not traveling. They walk quite a distance away from the grounds to find a proper place. Their only free moment, one might think. But no, their life during the day is completely public, and so they are followed by a mob of onlookers who want to see how these holy men do what they have to do. In silence they tread their “path of duty” and afterwards return to the temple in the same manner. After that they try to study and meditate, always in a sitting posture, because lying down is something they only do at night. Try ... because they are approached by pious people, who kneel down in front of them with hands joined, head on the ground: "namustu, swami, namustu, swami, namustu.” The swamis make a blessing gesture with their right hand and then the devotee leaves him. There is no room where the ascetics can
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