________________
526
Arts and crafts
Up till the present such activities have been undertaken almost exclusively by the Terapanthi sadhvis and it would be a very happy new turn of events if the other sådhvis were similarly inspired. These occupations must, of course, respect ahimsa and serve a useful purpose. The most common are: the copying of manuscripts, the illustration in colour on loose sheets of certain passages of the Sūtras, which help bring home in a concrete way the teaching given to the śrāvakas and śrāvikās, especially in the villages; the making of spectacle-frames and of small painted wooden bowls used at mealtime, of which the inner surfaces are delicately inscribed with passages from the Sūtras. It is unquestionable that these types of work, done as they are with exquisite finesse, help the sadhvis to develop their talents, to exercise concentration and to be useful to the samgha. As for the primary materials involved, wool, cotton, paint, paper, etc., this is supplied by the śravakas of the place where the sādhvis are temporarily lodging.
K- Samstara-pauruși: The period of rest
About one hour before sundown the sadhvis perform the pratilekhanā as in the morning. Next, two of them set out on gocari; when these two have returned, the whole group takes a light meal, followed by pratyākhyāna, the promise to take no more food or drink till sunrise the next morning. 196 A little later the rite of the avaśyakas takes place, which is performed jointly and aloud and lasts for one full hour, 197
The Unknown Pilgrims
After this rite, the sadhvis still have a long moment for dhyāna, svādhyāya or adhyayana. Towards ten o'clock they reach rest-time, saṁstāra-pauruși; saṁstāra denotes the couch or pallet of dry grass,
196 Cf. P 709.
197 Cf. P 710 ff.
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