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OBITUARY 17
Gulabchand Meghji Shah: A Life of Sacrifice (17/7/1938 - 21/12/2003)
On the cold Sunday evening of 21st summit. The mountain has 3799 steps and December 2003, thousands of people the summit is crowned with no fewer than from all over the United Kingdom
900 temples. During his time in Palitana, journeyed to the Oshwal Centre in
Gulabbhai fasted, eating one meal every Potters Bar, North of London, to pay three days. This rigorous fast required their respects to the family of the late physical and spiritual courage. Mr. Gulabchand Meghji Shah. This was Almost at the end of his pilgrimage, repeated two days later when his beloved Gulabbhai fell ill and having already climbed wife and pillar of support Shantaben returned the mountain 91 times felt the need to rest. from Palitana. Gulabbhai died unexpectedly. He asked Shantaben to continue her during his pilgrimage to Palitana. His was a climbing and not break her vow at his soul who had touched the lives of many, expense. Sadly, he died that morning, but it young and old, through his exemplary was a painless death. Due to his extreme community service and deep love of his penance and dedication to liberation, he was faith. Gulabbhai served as President and put on a Palanquin and taken to the Chairman of the Religion Committee of the cemetery in the way Jain monks are usually Oshwal Association. He also guided and taken after their death. If anyone were to see inspired young Jains and many other groups this from a distance, they would not know over many years. Gulabbhai played a crucial that the person has died - it would appear as role in making Jainism accessible to the Jain if an eminent person is being taken on a diaspora in the West.
mission somewhere. This rare method Gulabbhai was born in Nairobi but spent symbolically depicts liberation - he has over thirty years in London. Around twenty moved on in life and attained enlightenment years ago, he rediscovered the spiritual for the soul, discarding his body and material traditions of Jainism. He strove at once to existence. At the funeral pyre, the body learn and inform others about the Jain
miraculously ignited itself. tradition, organising events and participating Such a life is itself a precious pilgrimage in a range of activities. Jains in India who It demonstrates the pristine values of selfmet him could not believe that such a pious discipline, commitment, service and soul lived so far away from the Jain
compassion. In the busy modern city of homeland and was able to maintain such a London, where everyone is running to go zeal for enlightenment.
somewhere, achieve something, Gulabbhai's For the last fourteen years whilst
life demonstrated that liberation is indeed continuing his community work and
possible without hurting others. And it is the devotion to prayer, he would fast on
quality of the soul that ultimately matters. A alternate days. This is known as varshitap. He person who fasts to such an extent has gone completed 6 and was on his 7th year of beyond hunger and greed. His life is not varshitap. In the Jain tradition, fasting is an ruled by his senses but by his spirit. The goal accelerated route to liberation. When one is clearly in sight, and the pathway and met him, this humble man exuded energy obstacles start to diminish from view. It is as and vitality. His beloved wife Shantaben was if God is saluting you and welcoming you a model of constant support and
with open arms. encouragement, never failing him.
Gulabbhai leaves behind two daughters, Gulabbhai had gone to Palitana with one son and five grandchildren and a large Shantaben for his navanu pilgrimage. This extended close family for all of whom he requires the pilgrim to climb the Shatrunjaya was a father figure. May his soul rest in Mountain 99 times in less than 60 days. eternal peace. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.
Jains believe that all the tirthankaras apart from Neminath attained nirvan here. Every This piece has been compiled by his younger devout Jain, therefore, aspires to climb to the brother Jitu and his niece Nishma.
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