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The Unknown Pilgrims
include a centre of study and research, a centre of sadhana and a girls' college to be situated in the country just outside the little town of Lādanúṁ in Rājasthāna, the Saṁsthā for vairāgiņis acquired an adjacent properiy and became one of the organisms of this complex, independent as regards the group's manner of life, but affiliated for certain courses to the Brāhmi Vidyāpitha, the college for girls.
In the course of the years, the programme has been modified and broadened; at the present time the whole course lasts seven years, though the vairāginis do not all complete the entire course. Each year the ācārya decides that certain ones, though still studying, should be admitted to dikşand that certain others should be sent away. As regards its academic side, the curriculum and the syllabus of courses, and its library this institution has functioned since July 1977 under the direction of the Jaina Viśva Bhārati (research institute). The specific courses at the Saṁsthā are given by munis and pandits.
The Saṁsthā is intended for vairāgiņis only, but a few sădhvis living in their sikṣā-kendra follow the same courses and prepare for the same examinations under the direction of one of their number appointed by the ācārya.
In one of these well-built and spacious dwellings of Māravăda, the vairāginis lead their own community-life, which is neither that of a girls' boarding-school nor that of a sādhvis' study-centre. All is thought-out, foreseen and organised with a view to their future life as ascetics: character-formation, stress being laid on humility, selfcontrol, recollectedness, renunciation. Thus, as regards clothing, food and type of bed, there is a sobriety that is intentional, chosen and yet not excessive. A relaxed atmosphere is maintained, favourable to serious study in which an attempt is made to promote a harmonious blend of deep knowledge of the Scriptures and doctrine and an atmosphere of general culture, literary activity and openness to broad horizons. For example, the vairāginis go on a conducted tour each year to visit certain sites of historical, archaeological or geographical interest. The study of English is promoted and is obligatory, simply in order that the students should have access to certain works, in view of higher studies or further research. The vairāginis are organised into small groups, each with a leader who attends to practical matters, to their general activities and the maintenance of good co-ordination
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