The 2 hour card ride to get there which had it's fair share of near death experiences(almost hit a bus and the
fact that our driver didn't seem concerned to slow down around the cliffside curves was alarming!).
But no, move over Aya Sofia and Taj, The Jain Temple or Ranakpur(it's actual name) was a spectacle that I wish all could see. It is a massive structure made entirely of white marble, constructed in the 16th century with 1444 pillars not one resembling the other built by the Jains who are famous for their key pillar of doctrine,non-violence. This pillar trumps all others and applies to all living things(no killing Mosquitos around here my friends, and I'm serious!) Niki gives a good summery in the video but essentially they believe all living things have a soul and damaging any living thing is damaging a soul. They follow three main principles:
1) right view
2) right knowledge
3) right conduct
And under these are the many pillars that if you follow them will lead your soul to divine enlightenment or a God like state. They therefore see everyone
as potential Gods and don't believe in a monotheistic creator but believe that each individual is responsible creating their own divinity. And that you are responsible for the good and bad that has/is happening in your life.
Very fascinating religion, one I have read about a fair amount in different literatures I've encountered so it was really interesting to actually visit a Jain temple and meet Jain followers.
A stunning piece of architecture and one that like some of the others we have seen is immune to a description with words. Check out the video
to get a better idea:)
The drive there was also enjoyable which took more like 3 hours because we stopped to have tea with a buddy of the drivers and because against all good wisdom I DROVE IN INDIA!
Yes folks I did, the driver just asked all of the sudden if i wanted to and of course I laughed at first and said "no thank you my wife and have much we would like to do before we die!"
Well, his English was pretty much nil so his response to that was to
pull over and get me behind the wheel! Now, we were not in the city so the traffic was pretty mild and the biggest concern being animals on the highway seemed to also let up on my stretch of road but the whole driving on the left took a bit to get used to and it was a standard so shifting with my left felt unnatural. But we are alive and it was a good time:)
Watching the life in the villages was quite a site as well, very traditional villages and of course poor though one site put a smile on my face the whole drive there and back, both girls and boys were dressed in uniform and walking to school both on the way to the temple and then we saw them coming home from school on drive home.
This country has a lot that can make you feel gloomy about the state of the world, but If there is one thing that can little by little fix our planet, it's education.
Nothing creates a more sustainable future than what education can offer such as empowerment, critical thinking and creative self reliance.
These were poor villages indeed but with even the little girls marching to school I felt some of these children may have a chance. It was a powerful drive in that regard. I admired them for their courage, not just now but for the challenges they would face in the future. I know some of them,if only a few,will fight for more from their country and from themselves.
In the cities we often saw/see children who were being forced either by Indian Mafia or their parents to beg and therefore were not in school so to see this was a bright light in a dark room.
It was a great day today filled with awe,admiration and inspiration:)
I'm looking forward to tomorrow also as we have enrolled in an Indian cooking class!
Peace:)
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