From the reading of James Laidlaw's "A life worth leaving: fasting to death as telos of a Jain religious life" I learnt that Jainism, as one of the oldest religions practiced in the world, has one of the most meticulous sets of doctrines by which they live. Hence, if a Jain can live to the utmost level of discipline expected in Jainism, then they are become "objects of veneration and to some extent emulation by the larger population" (Laidlaw, 179). Upon reading Laidlaw's account of the life of Amarchand-ji Nahar, I was quite amazed at the level of control and training the "real Jains" had to experience to reach the highest level of their religion. It is not entirely surprising to me, then, when Laidlaw explains that the larger population, even beyond those in the Jain religious sect, revered the 'real Jains' and monks.
One thing that was very poignant to me was the idea of fasting and working towards gaining the similar level of discipline as one's hero. I realized that the 'real Jains and monks' were training to become like their predecessors who were not necessarily alive to commend them, but not to please a certain god. Thus, is the appraisal of those who are alive to see the accomplishment of the Jains, the underlining motive or is it just for the Jain him/herself to satisfactorily die, knowing that he/she could accomplish the highest level of discipline required?
This video gives an account of woman, Nirmala, who lived in one of the villages in Southern India where Jainism is very widely practiced. It follows the last moments of her life as a "woman" until she begins her journey towards 'real Jainism'. The account of her life and that of the other monks might further show that the decision towards the ultimate devotion to Jainism is more for the benefit of the individual to becoming fulfilled than to please a certain god. Having to live a life of such great control and only for the benefit of the individual is what I find very intriguing.
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