Vardhaman Book on Jainism

Author(s): Jayshree Menon
Publisher: Bennete Coleman & Co Ltd

Page 42

come to attend our talks and meditation classes when we travel abroad," one Samani told me.
And yes, abroad too they roam the streets with their bowls. Of course, where there are Indians it is not a problem. Rather families compete to feed them ("They see it as an honour”) and the Samanis must use diplomacy not to offend and self-restraint in face of this overwhelming generosity and bounty. With quite a few Jain families settled in Far Eastern countries like Japan, the problem is not so acute either, as here they are used to Buddhist monks seeking for food.
In some Western city however, it can get a little sticky. For instance in Rome, Italy, where a group had gone to attend a world conference on religion, they would set out each day and seek for food at restaurants. The real problem here was first clarifying what they did not eat and then explaining how it should be served to them. (Since they avoid all physical contact, food is dropped rather than placed in their bowls).
Some Samanis work on computers. Others accompany the Acharya in his wanderings around the
country and record the Siscourses of his munis and sadhvis who are engaged in the task of reinterpreting the sacred scriptures in light of modern scientific discoveries
But the Saman order goes beyond allowing them the freedom of using modern transportation. It is the administrative arm of an ancient religious movement that is deeply rooted in tradition yet surprisingly attuned to prevailing realities. Some Samanis work on computers. Others accompany the Acharya in his wanderings around the country and record the discourses of his munis and sadhvis who are engaged in the task of reinterpreting the sacred scriptures in light of modern scientific discoveries. All speak fluent English and/or Hindi and are B.A. graduates from the Jain Vishva Bharati Institute (Deemed University) in Ladnun, Rajasthan.
Yet for all their exposure to the world, they are untouched by its materialism. The daily routine of their lives is still starkly austere. They wake up each morning at 4 o'clock and devote the next few hours to prayers, yoga, meditation and a lot of soul-searching introspection. Come sunrise and they are out on the road with their food bowls in
-- VARDHAMAN 42
Jain Education in
For Personal & Per Use Only