Book Title: Jain Digest 2011 04
Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

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Page 77
________________ JAIN DIGEST .. May 2011 Practicing never stops for a true aspirant. In 1981, driven by inner quest Gurudev Chitabhanuji and Pramodaben left New York and went to San Diego, near the ocean to spend some time in a peaceful atmosphere for silence and deep meditation. There Gurudev attained the enlightened state of self-awareness on a higher level of initiation through further purification of his consciousness. This resulted in renewed vows and in extending Reverence for All Life to a global mission. Pramodaben also experienced light and started sharing the deep insight of peace with aspirants. Unique Honor: In 2001, for the first time in the history of the United States of America, Jain Dharma and JAINA received the unprecedented recognition and honor of having a prayer in the U.S. House of Representatives. On May 22, 2001, in celebration of the 2600th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Mahavira, Shree Chitrabhanuji delivered the opening prayer in the U.S. House Of Representatives. In July of 2005 in California, at the 25th Anniversary Convention, JAINA honored and recognized Pujyashri Chitrabhanuji and the late Acharya Sushil Kumar Muniji for their spiritual leadership, guidance and unwavering dedication to the "propagation of Jain Dharma in North America." Gurudev... "Vishva Manvi": Pujyashri Chitrabhanuji is known to the Western world as a man of vision and a pioneer. He is the first Jain Master in more than 2600 years who after following 30 years of monastic life in India - brought to the West the essence of Ahimsa Dharma which is the heart of Mahavira's teachings. The new generation of Jains find Gurudev's teachings very inspiring and continuously seek guidance from him in their search for spiritual growth and development. The roaring success of YJA - Young Jains of America - an arm of JAINA, gives hope that the seeds have taken roots and are blossoming with fragrant flowers. Today, many scholars are following Gurudev's footsteps. Gurudev belongs to the entire world and not just to the Jain community. He does not discriminate anyone based on caste, color, creed or country. He is a 'Vishva Manvi' - a global citizen and rightfully so. His actions speak louder than his words and we can learn a lot from his teachings. An Extraordinary Life of Acharya Chandanaji "Instead of creating temples in a village, Let us make an effort to make the entire village a temple" - Acharya Chandanaji Veerayatan began as a dream of the great Indian Guru Amar Muniji scholar, Upadhyaya Shri Amar Muniji Maharaj. to uplift the povertyDetermined to transform Pujya Upadhyaya Shri stricken state of Amar Muniji Maharaj's vision into reality, Acharya Bihar in India, Shri Chandanaji ventured into extremely hostile keeping in mind the conditions in Bihar, India to establish the first qualities portrayed Veerayatan site in 1973. Veerayatan, built near through the life and the birth and Nirvana place of Tirthankar teachings of Mahavir, is the result of tireless effort of Bhagwan Mahavir, Acharya Chandanaji. She showed to the Chandanaji took on world that the concept of service was an this challenge with efforts to extend integral part of Mahavir's Dharma. compassion, Acharya Chandanaji was born on January 26, friendship and love 1937, as Shankutala, in a Jain Katariya family in to all humanity. Maharashtra. Her spiritual journey began at the "Veerayatan", a age 14, when she took Diksha. She took a 12 non-profit, nonyear vow of maun (silence) to study Jain governmental Scriptures, ponder on the meaning and purpose registered of life, explore the beauty of different religions, organization was and discover a way to connect religion with the life established in 1972 of the common man. Inspired by the vision of her Acharya Chandanaji Jain Education Interational For Private & Personal Use Only www.ja 73


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