Images d'Inde ________ Jainism, (जैन धर्म) , is a religion and philosophy originating in the prehistory of South Asia. Now a minority in modern India with growing communities in the United States, Western Europe, Africa, the Far East and elsewhere, Jains have continued to sustain the ancient Shraman (श्रमण) or ascetic tradition. Those women sadhus, or Sadhvis, part of the Shvetambars order, believe that women can attain liberation and that there are still untampered-with texts.
jeudi 10 janvier 2008
mardi 28 novembre 2006
Good bye...
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.
Nervous.
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.
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.
Tired. On the road
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..
Dishes. On the road
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
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.
Tapo Ratna is preparing the food. Those are dry chapatis, they use as little water as possible.
Lunch Time.
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
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.
A woman paying respect to the jain Sadhvi I was walking with. She stopped the laundry for it
Helping each other
At this point 3 Sadhvis are helping up the Guru by pushing the wheelchair uphill.
Road to Brindavan
Off we go to reach Brindavan. The truck driver is puzzled to see a strange man walking with the jain Sadhvis...
Curiousity
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.
7 AM. On the road to Brindavan
The Guru is still walking despite her age. Then another Jaïn Sadhvi will help her with a wheelchair.
First Stop. Mysore
6:30 AM, after a few Km, just outside Mysore; the Jaïn Sadhvis knocked on a door of some Jaïn People to be able to pray in their private temple inside their house. The Jaïn community is very close.
Morning Start. Mysore
On january 1st, I went away from Mysore to Brindavan, a 22 km walk, with a group of 8 women Saddhus. It's still night time. Before leaving, we went to the Jain temple where they prayed before leaving. ( Previous images)
Jain Temple. Mysore
On january 1st, 2006, I went to the Ashram where the Sadhvi were staying to greet them, then we headed toward the Temple for the morning prayer before we could start walking the 22 klm from Mysore to Brindavan. 5:30 AM.
Jain Temple. Mysore
On january 1st, 2006, I went to the Ashram where the Sadhvi were staying to greet them, then we headed toward the Temple for the morning prayer before we could start walking the 22 klm from Mysore to Brindavan. 6 AM.
Cooking. Mysore
While following those Jains Sadhvis, I went to the place where they were staying. This man was the cook and at the time he was actually cooking for the 8 Jain Sadhvis.
Praying. Mysore
One of the woman praying, listening to the Guru.
I don't know why most came dressed up in purple
Teaching. Mysore
One of the saddhu was teaching a small girl who came to visit them and listen to the "guru" , let's say the leader of the 8 sadhus travelling together.
Sadhvi. Mysore
Another Jain Sadhu is praying after lunch.
They have a very strict schedule.
When I walked with her, two days after the first encounter when i shot this image, she asked me why I didn't wanted to become a sadhu myself..I answered that I would think about it first.. Who knows!!
Tapo Ratna. A jain Sadhvi.
Tapo Ratna has been a Jain Sadhu for the past 9 years. She is 32 years old. She is part of the "Svetambara" order, a very strict one. She is holding the "Rajurharan" in her hand, the symbol of that order. I met them in Mysore and spend a day walking with them on january first from Mysore to Brindavan..
On this image, you can see all her belongings next to her. The red bowl is called a "Patra". They can't use cars, buses, electricity, light..... etc.. They dress in white cloth.
They cut their hair, twice a year, pulling them by hand since they are not allowed to use scissors. From what she stold me, it's mainly to avoid being attractive...
Guru. Mysore
The guru is preparing the prayer she will direct with the Jaïn community coming to their rooms to meet them.
Jain Sadhvis. Mysore. Karnataka
Some Jain Sadhvis (women saddhus) I met while in Mysore. This is just after I met them and they invited me to follow them to the Ashram they were staying at during their stay in Mysore.
I did spend some time with them.
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