Young Jains choose the path of spiritualism
The Jain religion, known for its principles of truth and non-violence, often leads people from the community to renounce worldly desires in an act called ‘diksha’, and live as monks for the spiritual betterment of the society.
In April, a Jain businessman, Bhavesh Bhandari, and his wife, from Gujarat’s Sabarkantha, donated their wealth of Rs200 crore, following the footsteps of their 19year-old daughter and 16year-old son. In Mumbai, at around the same time, nineyear-old Saiyam Shah and his parents, Jigar and Kiran, from Dombivali, took their diksha. Of late, the idea has captured the imagination of youngsters who are now increasingly gravitating towards spiritual liberation.
contacted Bipin Doshi, resource person for Jain studies at the University of Mumbai, to better understand the phenomenon. Doshi stated that there has been an increase in the number of young diksharthis in the past 10 years.
“There is a great influence of asceticism on children and youngsters. There is a sense of submission towards the guru, who guides them towards giving away their life for religion and spirituality,” Doshi said.
In April, four young Jain girls attained diksha on the same day in Juhu and Bhiwandi. The youngest among them was Nishtha Kumari, a 12-year-old. The eldest, 21year-old Yashvi Nandu, was a mechanical engineering student who dropped her studies after being influenced by the preachings of Jain saint Namramuni Maharaj Saheb.
“During her Girnar pilgrimage three years ago, she attended maharaj saheb’s camp and instantly felt connected to his teachings. She became his saadhak, got trained for the spiritual and religious way of life, and finally attained diksha on Sunday,” a member of the Vile Parle
The Free Press Journal.
The young bring their own twist to the spiritual way of life. Instead of giving up on worldly tools, they use technology to preach their message. “Jain monks are known for a disciplined lifestyle, which prevents using any electric or electronic device, but the young monks are now using laptops and social media to preach to the masses,” Doshi said.
According to Global Digambar Jain Mahasabha, the Shwetambar sect of the Jain community comprises 15,000 monks, while the Digambar sect has only 1,500. Monks in the Digambar community wear no clothes, bearing the heat and cold, while living on a strict diet.
“The world is filled with pain and diksha is a way to leave this painful world for moksha. Even if the rest of the world does not change for the good, we will do it for ourselves through diksha,” said Jamnalal Hapawat, president of the Global Digambar Jain Mahasabha. “The youth in the Jain community have an obsession and perseverance towards this great religion.”