Jain Spirit 2002 10 No 12

Author(s): Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 29

Transform Yourself
We are against all meaningless rituals, and feel that religion should not be identified purely with ritual. I would like to transform ritual into spi-ritual. The spirit and its condition at the time of prayer or worship are of critical importance. Religion is beyond materialism and ritual can trap us into a materialistic life, which will prevent us from achieving true freedom.
tree has lots of branches, all of which are connected in the base, the root. What is wrong in that? There is nothing wrong in forming a group, provided there is intellectual openness and non-dogmatism. Mahavir is my God, Shrimad Rajchandra is my guru, the one who has interpreted the religion for me in the best possible and scientific way, so I follow him. I am not saying that Shrimad
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Intellectual study of scriptures and sacred books is very important for spiritual development
To me the jewel is more important than the jewellery box. That is why I do not much care whether one is a Shvetambara Jain or a Digambara Jain, a Deravasi or a Sthanakvasi. What is crucial is that we aim for salvation through constant self-study and self-improvement. In my opinion, our guru Shrimad Rajchandra was a reformer and a revolutionary, but he did not start another sub-group or sect within Jainism. I am completely against divisions within the Jain community and would like Jains to unite in spirit and in fact. I feel divisions are created by followers, not by founders. It is the sign of our own weakness if we are unable to understand true dharma as non-sectarian and universal. I would not like to be classified as a Shrimad Rajchandra follower, but as a Jain.
Some people say that I have started a new cult in Jainism. Even Gandhiji was accused of starting a cult. Personally, I am trying to establish a pattern in life and encourage people to follow it. I am strongly influenced by Shrimad Rajchandra's writings and consider him as my guru. However, this does not mean that I do not read about or learn from other great gurus of life. There is no harm in pursuing religion as a group. Every
Rajchandra is my God, because then I would be starting a new religion. Our primary aim is to enable a transformation within, and not to create a new sect or division. We have tremendous love for Shrimad, whom we consider to be our father. Mahavir is our grandfather, whom we respect completely.
I invite everyone to test my words for themselves and only apply them if they find them relevant to their own life. I do not force people to follow my way of thinking. They are encouraged to believe in themselves. I consider myself as an instrument or as an interpreter. I am not closed in any way. I really hope that young people all over the world make some attempt to study Jainism before they decide to dismiss it or reject it. I am convinced that if they do careful investigation, they will discover a lot of truth and spiritual wisdom.
Rakeshbhai is based in Mumbai and has a new ashram in Dharampur, 200 km away.
September - November 2002 . Jain Spirit 27 For Private & Personal Use Only