Jain Society Lansing MI 2000 05 Pratistha

SR No.: 528511
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Center Lansing MI
Publisher: USA Jain Center Lansing MI
Publication Year: 2000
Total Pages: 108
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, USA_Souvenir Jain Center MI Lansing, & USA
File Size: 4 MB

Page 12

Gurudev Shri Chitrabhanuji
Gurudev Chitrabhanuji was born on July 26, 1922 in a village in Rajputana (Rajasthan, India). He attended college at Bangalore and earned a Bachelor's degree. Gurudev Chitrabhanuji was the first Jain monk to travel abroad, which he did in order to address the Spiritual Summit Conference in Geneva in 1970. His mastery over many languages such as Sanskrit, Prakrit, Kannada, Hindi, Gujarati and English enables him to communicate with a wide spectrum of people. He has been able to help people of all faiths and cultures free themselves from mental, psychological, sectarian and social boundary lines and plunge into the reality of their innermost being.
Gurudev Chitrabhanu is the founder of the Divine Knowledge Society in Mumbai and the Jain Meditation International Center in New York. He has been the spiritual leader and motivator in the formation of JAINA (Jain Associations In North America) and many Jain Centers in North America. He has also worked closely with the World Fellowship of Religions and other organizations in North America. He has lectured at many institutions including the United Nations, Yale University, and many others. He is the author of more than twenty-five books which reflect his message of world peace and non-violence. His poem, "Maitri Bhavanun Pavitra Jharanun..." is very popular (see page 99). He has led innumerable retreats, workshops, seminars, and Pratistha programs throughout the world.
Selected sayings of Gurudevji:
(i) "I do not want to teach people their duties or any doctrine of religion. I want to arouse them from their complacency, to stir their hearts, to vivify their imaginations, to bring them from their little selves to the higher self of which they are capable."
(ii) "The awareness of non-violence and non-interference with all life will save us from degradation of environment and ruthless exploitation of helpless beings."
Gurudevji will be present at our Pratishtha ceremony to give his blessings and deliver a pravachan (discourse).
Jain Education Intemational