Hey there folks – what’s happening?! Here’s another post comin’ at y’all – this time we’re back to the academics. So when we got back from Holiday, we were told to stay packed because the group was heading to a Jainist community to start our course on religion. Jainism is one of the oldest “religions” and is quite possibly the most unique “ways of life”. The basis of Jainism is renunciation – aka, the ability to “just say NO”. Like Buddhism, it doesn’t necessarily have any requirements of a formal religion or God – kind of just a philosophy. However, we found that worship is common and very “exposed”. The night we arrived, we met with a spiritual leader (Swamiji). So he didn’t have extravagant robes of gold or jewelry hanging all over his body. In fact, he didn’t sport any sort of attire. He was naked. It’s taking renunciation of materialism to the farthest extreme. Swamiji wasn’t the only nude Jain there – all the monks of Jainism, once they have reached a certain level in their studies, ditch their clothes, their families, modes of transportation save walking, and any tools or technology. Here’s the laundry list of the things that have left me shell-shocked:
*The spiritually inclined are absolutely naked. Everywhere they go, they go in the buff. Take at the end of November; the monks are heading to Delhi for a conference. They will walk there, and everyone they meet will have an unusual and cheeky visual encounter.
*Women can become spiritually equivalent nuns – however, they are not allowed to be naked. We questioned Swamiji about that – didn’t seem like a model for equality. He said that in India, it’s just culturally unacceptable have a naked female body on display. So here’s my question: how can you fully renounce the world and all its superficial values if you deny some followers full liberation from material goods? Honestly, I think it’s a questionable gesture in terms of renunciation – as truly remarkable and appealing as this lifestyle is, it still is really dictated by social norms.
*No tools – not even silverware. One day, we went to go watch the monks eat their 1 meal for the day (they take this at 1 pm ever day). Instead of cutlery, they were served their meal standing by devotees.
*One of the main premises of Jainism is non-violence – that means towards all living creatures. So there is absolutely no bug-squashing. The monks avoid the risk of hurting any organism by carrying a broom with them wherever they go to brush little critters out of their path.
*Diet – very literal take on non-violence. So Jains are vegetarians, but they also limit what they eat to things that grow above ground. The reason for this is that they believe the roots are the heart of the plant. Eating a carrot, potato, onion, or clove of garlic is equal to murder.
*The mobility of Jain monks is really affected by the season and the time of day. During monsoon season when there are more insects out and about, their movement is just confined to the monastery, lest they should trample a cockroach. This goes for the evening when insects are more active. We were required to eat our final meal before sundown because otherwise, there would be no one to fashion a meal for us.
*Jains believe in evolution – but not really a Darwinist’s perspective. One of the monks we spoke with said that humanity is now experiencing devolution as a result of our increased obsession with consumerism. So what are the physical implications? Humans are getting smaller, it ALL aspects of their bodies.
- these stark contrasts help remind me that I didn’t come to India to criticize everything that is contrary to my culture and social conditioning. This is not an interrogation; it’s education! It’s keeping egoism and cultural biased in-check…
Man, I was completely fascinated by the whole visit. It was like nothing I have ever experienced before or have even dared to think about!
Mad Props!: Doug, our GAC professor was sick and unable to accompany us to Sharavanabellagolla. Instead, Sham Kahlil (gent who went with us to Hospet) and Nazar (constant travel companion) led us on this journey. Very likely two of the greatest, most friendly, most hilarious men I have ever met. Sort of comic relief in an uncomfortable situation – one afternoon, Nazar led us on a rock-bounding expedition during a hike we had to visit some Jain temples. Let's hear it for the leadership!
Oh, I almost forgot – Happy Diwali! This is the Festival of Lights and is the largest festival that is celebrated each year! In celebration, we will be eating sweets and watching fireworks tonight. Not planning on sleeping as we leave for the airport at 3 am to fly to Hyderabad for the trip up north.
Posting as soon as reasonably possible!
peace and love
*The spiritually inclined are absolutely naked. Everywhere they go, they go in the buff. Take at the end of November; the monks are heading to Delhi for a conference. They will walk there, and everyone they meet will have an unusual and cheeky visual encounter.
*Women can become spiritually equivalent nuns – however, they are not allowed to be naked. We questioned Swamiji about that – didn’t seem like a model for equality. He said that in India, it’s just culturally unacceptable have a naked female body on display. So here’s my question: how can you fully renounce the world and all its superficial values if you deny some followers full liberation from material goods? Honestly, I think it’s a questionable gesture in terms of renunciation – as truly remarkable and appealing as this lifestyle is, it still is really dictated by social norms.
*No tools – not even silverware. One day, we went to go watch the monks eat their 1 meal for the day (they take this at 1 pm ever day). Instead of cutlery, they were served their meal standing by devotees.
*One of the main premises of Jainism is non-violence – that means towards all living creatures. So there is absolutely no bug-squashing. The monks avoid the risk of hurting any organism by carrying a broom with them wherever they go to brush little critters out of their path.
*Diet – very literal take on non-violence. So Jains are vegetarians, but they also limit what they eat to things that grow above ground. The reason for this is that they believe the roots are the heart of the plant. Eating a carrot, potato, onion, or clove of garlic is equal to murder.
*The mobility of Jain monks is really affected by the season and the time of day. During monsoon season when there are more insects out and about, their movement is just confined to the monastery, lest they should trample a cockroach. This goes for the evening when insects are more active. We were required to eat our final meal before sundown because otherwise, there would be no one to fashion a meal for us.
*Jains believe in evolution – but not really a Darwinist’s perspective. One of the monks we spoke with said that humanity is now experiencing devolution as a result of our increased obsession with consumerism. So what are the physical implications? Humans are getting smaller, it ALL aspects of their bodies.
- these stark contrasts help remind me that I didn’t come to India to criticize everything that is contrary to my culture and social conditioning. This is not an interrogation; it’s education! It’s keeping egoism and cultural biased in-check…
Man, I was completely fascinated by the whole visit. It was like nothing I have ever experienced before or have even dared to think about!
Mad Props!: Doug, our GAC professor was sick and unable to accompany us to Sharavanabellagolla. Instead, Sham Kahlil (gent who went with us to Hospet) and Nazar (constant travel companion) led us on this journey. Very likely two of the greatest, most friendly, most hilarious men I have ever met. Sort of comic relief in an uncomfortable situation – one afternoon, Nazar led us on a rock-bounding expedition during a hike we had to visit some Jain temples. Let's hear it for the leadership!
Oh, I almost forgot – Happy Diwali! This is the Festival of Lights and is the largest festival that is celebrated each year! In celebration, we will be eating sweets and watching fireworks tonight. Not planning on sleeping as we leave for the airport at 3 am to fly to Hyderabad for the trip up north.
Posting as soon as reasonably possible!
peace and love
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