Jain Spirit 2004 10 No 20

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

Page 26

24 OBITUARY
An African Saint
Reuben Thuku (May 1946 - June 2004)
Mr. Reuben Thuku left his mortal body on 23 June 2004 in Nakuru, Kenya, after a short illness from cerebral malaria. He was 58 years of age and is survived by four children. Reuben was a good friend and regular contributor to Jain Spirit.
Born on 20 May 1946 at Nyeri, Kenya, Reuben lost his sight when he was five because of measles, but he never allowed this to hold him back. He studied at the Thika School for the Blind. On leaving school, he worked for thirteen years as a telephone operator. In 1967, Reuben joined the Theosophical Society, which promotes understanding between people of different faiths, studying at their International Headquarters at Adyar, India, and serving as its National Lecturer in East and Central Africa.
Reuben Thuku was a modest man with a gentle yet charismatic manner. He was an inspiration, in particular to young people, to whom he imparted his holistic approach to life and faith. In 1999, Young Jains UK honoured him as their Chief Guest Speaker when he talked on the Art of Living.' Nishad Himavtal Gudka of Young Jains UK said of Reuben: "He has been a source of energy for many generations of Young Jains, who have been touched by his words and, most importantly, his actions." Reuben travelled extensively in Africa as well as visiting England and the USA, addressing Jains, Hindus, Theosophists and secular audiences. Long before it was fashionable, he made connections between spirituality, the environment and social justice that influenced a younger generation of community leaders.
Above all, Reuben Thuku will be remembered as a treasure trove of knowledge and practical wisdom. In part, this gleamed from his practical experience both as a spiritual leader and as a man who lived with and overcame disability. Yet Reuben was also an accomplished scholar of comparative religion who explored the common roots of the world's faith traditions. Dr. L. Patel, President of the Gujarati Hindu Sanskuti Kendra in Durban, South Africa, paid the following tribute to Reuben in 2001: "You made a tremendous impact when you spoke at our cultural evening. ... Your vast knowledge of scriptures and your ability to communicate your thoughts and ideas so well will remain in our memories forever."
Jain Spirit wishes to express its gratitude to Reuben Thuku for his friendship, encouragement and inspirational contributions to the magazine. He worked tirelessly to the raise the profile of Jainism as a living philosophy for the modern world. Om Shantih Shantih This obituary was written by Kiran S. Shah of the Theosophical Society Nairobi, and edited by Aidan Rankin, Jain Spirit News Editor.
Editors' Note: Reuben Thuku was closely associated with International Centre for Cultural Studies, USA, INC. The Centre is planning a book devoted to Reuben. Anyone with papers, letters or other material relating to Reuben is asked to contact Yashvant Pathak. Email: Yashvant: iccsus@yahoo.com