The head monk wore nothing but sunglasses. He sat at the head of his
congregation white and puffy, legs crossed and blissfully enlightened
with his jet black glasses. The musicians played and the holy book was
recited while the slightly less enlightened men served food to the
people. The less enlightened men wore saris and looked a lot like
women with their long headscarfs. However when they faced you with
their hairy bare chests exposed they were obviously men.
The Jains are an interesting religious bunch. There are 4.2 million in
India and they preach non-violence towards all life forms. Monks are
required to sweep the ground before they walk to avoid stepping on any
micro - organisms or tiny beings. They avoid root vegetables and
filter their water to avoid consuming micro organisms. They will not
eat old food (even yogurt as it ferments). One sect has monks that
wear masks to avoid swallowing bugs. In general Jain followers have a
far higher literacy rate then other Indians and with health sense
written into their religious code they are probably far healthier too.
Still in Calcutta. Their is really nothing of interest to see here.
This is a city you feel and experience. Tomorrow to Gaya and Bodhgaya
if I can reach the train station during the general strike.
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