Jain Sadhvis

A Slide Sow for fast people

2008-01-10T14:20:00.000+01:00

A day in the life of Jaïn sadhvis
envoyé par clodreno

Good bye...

2006-11-28T15:23:00.000+01:00

After I had shared the evening meal, in another room, it was time to say good bye to the Sadhvis.
I was to meet them 2 days later in Mysore.

Evening meal. Brindavan

2006-11-28T15:20:00.000+01:00

Supervising the evening meal the Jaïn neighbors are bringing in.

Meditation. Brindavan

2006-11-28T15:17:00.000+01:00

After the long walk, the moment of meditation for the Jain sadhvis.

Home, at last

2006-11-28T15:15:00.000+01:00

At last, the Sadhvis can install themselves inside the two rooms alloted to them.

Nervous.

2006-11-28T15:12:00.000+01:00

When we reached the hotel where two rooms had been reserved for the 8 Sadhvis. Tapo Ratna was getting nervous. Inside the big hall next to the rooms were some onions skins on the floor, something they must avoid.
They had some discssions before accepting to stay there. The place was cleaned up.

Meeting.

2006-11-28T15:10:00.000+01:00

3 Km away from Brindavan, a jain Pharmacist, in purple here, came to greet the Sadhvis. She told them that usually Sadhvis were staying with them, and was a bit sad that they would go to the hotel where rooms had been reserved for them. Later on, the Pharmacist's husband came to the hotel with food cooked for them.

Showing respect.

2006-11-28T15:06:00.000+01:00

An old man showing respect to Tapo ratna on the road to Brindavan

Almost there

2006-11-28T14:57:00.000+01:00

The road to Brindavan is just beautiful

Tired. On the road

2006-11-28T14:53:00.000+01:00

On the way to Brindavan the Jain Sadvis and I at times had to rest. The one the left was a lot more tired, mainly because at the same time she had been fasting for a week..

On the road again

2006-11-28T14:52:00.001+01:00

Packing the bowls

2006-11-28T14:50:00.001+01:00

Dishes. On the road

2006-11-28T14:46:00.000+01:00

Then at about half way, they decided to ghave lunch. Since they wanted to be left alone to have lunch, we went for a tea, and came back when they were doing the dishes, using as little water as possible. Everybody is cleaning his own dish.

Dishes. On the road

2006-11-28T14:43:00.000+01:00

Then at about half way, they decided to have lunch. Two boys from Mysore were following us, on a rickshaw with the food. Since they wanted to be left alone to have lunch, we went for a tea, and came back when they were doing the dishes, using as little water as possible.

Lunch Time.

2006-11-28T14:42:00.000+01:00

Tapo Ratna is preparing the food. Those are dry chapatis, they use as little water as possible.

Lunch Time.

2006-11-28T14:37:00.000+01:00

Two men on a Rickshaw were preceding us to a point where the Jaïn Sadhvis had decided to stop for Lunch. All their belongings and food where inside the cart.

Tapo Ratna and her sister

2006-11-28T14:34:00.000+01:00

A portrait of Tapo Ratna and her sister, she has been a Jain Sadhvi for the past 9 years. She is 32 years old. She is part of the "Svetambara" order, a very strict one. I met them in Mysore and spend a day walking with them on january first from Mysore to Brindavan..

Showing respect.

2006-11-28T14:32:00.000+01:00

A woman paying respect to the jain Sadhvi I was walking with. She stopped the laundry for it

Helping each other

2006-11-28T14:29:00.000+01:00

At this point 3 Sadhvis are helping up the Guru by pushing the wheelchair uphill.

Road to Brindavan

2006-11-28T14:24:00.000+01:00

Off we go to reach Brindavan. The truck driver is puzzled to see a strange man walking with the jain Sadhvis...

Curiousity

2006-11-28T14:21:00.000+01:00

Despite seeing a lot of different people on the road of India, some, like this farmer, are still curious about the Sadhvis. An uncommon scene on the road, Jaïn being a minority in India.

Praying and Walking.

2006-11-28T14:20:00.000+01:00

On the road

2006-11-28T14:16:00.000+01:00

Some Sadvis wear handmade shoes, most of them walk barefoot.

7 AM. On the road to Brindavan

2006-11-28T14:12:00.000+01:00

The Guru is still walking despite her age. Then another Jaïn Sadhvi will help her with a wheelchair.

Prayer. 6:30 AM, On the road

2006-11-28T14:08:00.001+01:00

Inside the private temple.