Chapter 2 Summary

This chapter subtitled "The Monk's Story" is precisely that: the story that the main character requested at the end of chapter one - of how the monk became a monk. The monk starts his story by stating that he had loved only one thing in his life. He says that he was very rich before he gave up all his possessions and he describes the ceremony that his father paid for in order to help him become a monk.

This ceremony began in a stadium filled with people who were amazed that he was giving up his wealth. The ceremony that a Jain monk follows before giving up his worldly goods is based on what Mahavira - the man whose footsteps these monks follow – started. It is a ceremony that celebrates the monk entering poverty, and includes donations to charity. The monk's father...