________________
The Never-ending Pilgrimage
415
course of my numerous and frequent vihāras, in Rājasthāna, Dilli, Gujarāta, Mahārāștra, Mumbai and environs and 'Madras, I was always received amicably and with much kindliñess by the sādhvis, as also by those of their number who passed through Vārāṇasi when I was living there. Certain sădhvis in the course of our regular collequia replied to my questions in person, while others have continued to instruct me from a distance by writing their replies to my fresh requests for explanations. Several have procured documents for me, biographies in particular, or have had books sent to me through the kindness of śrāvakas. To indicate more fully what this study owes to each sādhvi, each guruņi, each community, many pages would be needed. 15 This friendly collaboration is unique in this sense that each sādhvi is unique. Like their elders whose Names are engraved in stone or inscribed on parchment, or whose memory is recalled by samādhimandiras 16 and images, so also each present-day sadhvi bears a Name, each strives to follow the spirit of the dharma, each is worthy of the deepest respect. Another aspect of this collaboration has been the active part played by the śrāvakas and śrāvikās of the local samghas. Several of them have helped me discover the whereabouts of the sādhvis or have offered me hospitality during my stay. A larger number of them have given me interesting pieces of information and, on occasion, documents. Moreover the few munis whom I have met have assisted me with wise adyice. This whole study, and especially. this Part, is the result of this collaboration on the part of the sadhviś and, with them, that of the caturvidhasamgha.
The whole of chapter seven, which is devoted to the āryikās, was written under the inspiration and guidance of Aryikā Jñānamati Mātāji, who not only wrote a book in answer to my questions, but was kind enough to furnish me with explanations and further comments upon it during my stays in Hastināpura. There also the brahmacārins and brahmacāniņis, śrāvakas and śrāvikās all joined with Mātāji, each in his or her own way, to render me assistance.
15 In the ns. of the following chs. the names are given of the sadhvis who contributed in a very particular way to the clarification of certain ideas and certain aspects of their life as sādhvis.
16 Cf. P 254 ff.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
