Acharya Chandanaji in India Today

SR No.: 269087
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: India Today
Publisher: India Today
Total Pages: 4
Language: English
Classification: Article & Ascetics
File Size: 6 MB

Page 2

ANIMPACTreature
SHRI CHANDANAJI
IARY CHANGE IN THE JAIN TRADITION
his is the experience of not just one person, but thousands, each of whom has experienced a powerfully inspirational touch upon coming into contact with this divine soul. You can find her in the small villages of Bihar surrounded by poor, old, sick people who are in search of warmth and support in life. You can see her walking in the rubble of earthquake-affected Kutch, consoling
an orphan child and providing shelter after to those who have lost their families in the devastating quake. You can also see her solacing economically and socially unfortunate people, giving support to the downtrodden in many parts of India. A child-like face, loving eyes, giving hands, a fragile figure clad in simple white clothing. She showers love to one and all, unrestricted by boundaries, be they religious or physical. Yes, this is Acharya Shri Chandanaji, one of the greatest and the most incredible jewels in the history of the Jain world, and a soul who has encouraged, inspired and touched millions of lives through her kind words and deeds. Acharya Shri Chandanaji is a name that personifies simplicity, courage and compassion. She is the first Jain Sadhvi to receive the prestigious title of "Acharya" in the Jain community. For millions worldwide, she is more than just a religious leader. She initiated a revolutionary chapter in the history of the Jain religion by introducing the concept of Compassion in Action' to the renounced community. She inspired and trained the renounced class to actively engage in social work for the betterment of humanity. She revolutionised the Jain tradition according to the needs of the time and paved the new path of Seva. Today Acharya Shri Chandnaji's simple white clad ascetics serve people absolutely selflessly in a highly professional manner. How has one soul been able to accomplish so much? Born on January 26, 1937, in Ahmednagar (Maharashtra), the beloved daughter of Katariya Jain family, Shakuntala, as she was then known, decided to renounce the world (accept Diksha) at the age of 14. An extraordinary journey commenced. She took a vow of silence for 12 long years. But inside, there was a great upsurge of thoughts and questions. A debate arose in the mind of Sadhvi Chandana Shriji: scriptures, beliefs, contemporary practices, and traditions were all going in different directions. A battle emerged in her mind: Which one should a Jain renunciate choose: tradition or Tirthankar Mahavir? She raised some fundamental questions:
Why are ascetics prohibited from actively carrying out compassionate work? Why do we only talk about life after death? Why does religion only concentrate on individual liberation? Why is the path of active 'Seva' not an integral part of asceticism? Why is mankind divided on the basis of caste and sect? And why aren't we putting any active efforts in finding answer to these questions?
Acharya Shri Chandanaji strongly believes that religion is not only about finding Moksha, but it is also for resolving everyday challenges and bringing peace and bliss in day to day life. She firmly maintained that tradition has restricted the illimitable philosophy and unconditional love of Tirthankar Mahavir into narrow rituals. She then decided that the universal values of unconditional love and compassion taught by Tirthankar Mahavir have to be spread to one and all. This is the journey that led to her path of Compassion in Action and selfless service undertaken by the renunciate class for the first time in the modern history of Jain tradition. Three decades ago, when Acharya Shri Chandanaji began this journey, it was almost a blasphemous act to break with the tradition. But Sadhvi Shri Chandanaji challenged the tradition and explained that religion has to be revitalised to be in accordance with rapidly moving society. This was a turning point in the history of Jain religion, as no renounced person had ever served lives for the cause of humanity. There was an opposition not only from the tradition but also from the followers' side. No one was ready to accept that a renounced individual can go among people, of all religions at that, and serve them rather than just preaching about being compassionate People said to her that the path of Seva is not conducive to liberation, that Seva is not an acceptable path for one's own spiritual development. To answer to these challenges, Acharya Shri Chandanaji explained that life is not one dimensional. Religion accepts life in its entirety. To work toward getting rid of any physical or mental suffering is true religion. Service is no different from spirituality, service is spirituality In 1972, Sadhvi Shri Chandanaji initiated her Seva work from the state of Bihar, the historical land of Lord Mahavir. With the blessings of Pujya Gurudev Updhyaya Shri Amar Muniji Maharaj, her mammoth task of selfless service was given the name "Veerayatan". With her incredible vision, dedication and perseverance, today Veerayatan is a world renowned leading development organization with offices in ten countries. It is a non-profit, non-governmental organization working to empower people
ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE Inspirational programmes for an addiction free society, vegetarianism and lives free from anti social and criminal activities Openings of many schools, colleges and hostels in under privileged areas helping orphans, single parent and economically disadvantaged children
Thousands of lives saved by medical treatment Performed 2,50,000 eyes surgeries and treated 8,00,000 ophthalmic cases
Corrected 2,000 surgical cases of polio Immediate education in stop-gap schools for 10,000 children affected
in the devastating earthquake of Kutch, Gujarat in 2001 Countless people have become self reliant through various vocational
training programmes The first pharmacy degree college in the district of Kutch, Gujarat Within a short span of nine years, established many permanent educational institutions in the district of Kutch which includes Engineering and
Management colleges, and many other Technical courses Extended helping hand to affected people in eventuality of
natural calamities across the country
Environment awareness programmes Establishment of many spiritual training centres worldwide Development of Sarvodaya Tirtham, a large retirement
and Vacation Resort Community in USA
Acharya Shrandanaji touching the lives of the poor with inspirational words in the villages of Bihar