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550
The Unknown Pilgrims
every Jaina believes and towards which he strives. In the midst of a world dominated by power, money and the passions, they are a constant reminder of spiritual values. In the course of meetings, during vihāras and the paryusaņā, they are called upon without prior preparation to give direct teaching of a very varied sort, adapted to the requirements of different persons, places and circumstances. We know already that at the upāśraya, generally in the early afternoon, they are available to receive callers. They are consulted on many subjects, ranging from questions concerning the practice of spiritual exercises or some vow to be made to matters concerning confession, some family problem or some decision that must be taken. They are there to listen, to give advice, and their counsel, if not always followed, is at least held in high regard. It goes without saying that the suggestions they make are in line with samyak-căritra. It is naturally mothers of families and girls who consult them the most, but many fathers and young people in general also seek counsel from them.69
It can be said that in the course of the centuries the sādhvis, together with the munis but in a less obvious way, have been the pillars of the samgha. If their role has been overshadowed - and that on account of the secondary place officially assigned to women in society - it has been none the less an effective one and remains so.
Side by side with this type of personal instruction, they give also a broader and more public type of instruction in various ways, sometimes through gatherings and homilies, sometimes through their writings or, again, through the holiday-camps that they organise. Whichever of these forms the teaching takes, if the initiative comes from a śādhvi or group of śădhvis, the practical realisation of the project happens with both the assent and the collaboration of the saṁgha: it is always, to a greater or lesser extent, according to each case, a community undertaking.
69 I know one śrāvaka who owes his vocation as a brahmacārin to the wise counsel of a śädhvi who continues as his spiritual guide.
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