Jainism Abroad

Author(s): Pratap J Tolia
Publisher: Vardhaman Bharati International Foundation

Page 10

On the sight of the Samadhi of the great monk, a 'Guru Mandir is constructed. This has an image of the great monk installed on the ground floor, and another of Srimad Rajachandra on the first floor. A Dadabari dedicated to the celebrated Jaina monk Yugapradhan Sri Jinadatta Suri is also constructed in the neighbourhood. The Ashram has a plan for setting up a publication centre and a girls' school, a Jaina temple and single guest rooms. In these, after the passing away of the great monk, the source of inspiration and guide is the holy Mataji, who had participated in great spiritual exercises with the monk and is well advanced on the spiritual path, is at this moment the Head of the Ashram.
A letter to the kind hosts Abroad
A FEW LETTERS: Letter no.1
My dear colleagues in communion,
Detroit, New Year, 28-10-1981
With all the best wishes for a prosperous, peaceful and poise-providing New Year, may I earnestly pray for the strength you all may acquire for kindling the LIGHT WITHIN - the light of the SELF AWAKENED! I wish and again pray that this inner light of the AWAKENED CONSCIOUSNESS reminding that in eternity "I AM THE SELF, THE SPIRIT, THE ATMAN AND NOT THIS PHYSICAL FRAME", may go on burning continuously throughout the coming year, resulting in gradual Selfrealization by the grace of the PARAMGURUS.
Coincidentally, may I humbly remind you all, the enthusiastic and overwhelming organizers of my three-fold programmes of MEDITATION< MUSIC & TALKS, that this mission of Kindling the light of the Self-realization (as guided and blessed by my great PARAMGURUS: SRIMAD RAJCHANDRAJI, YOGINDRA YUGАPRADHAN SRI SAHAJANANDAGHANJI - of SRIMAD RAJCHANDRA ASHRAM, HAMPI, KARNATAKA- HOLY MATAJI DHANDEVIJI, PADMABHOOSHAN DR. PANDIT SUKHLALI SANGHVI, ACHARYA GURDIAL MALLIKJI and others.) which is the sum total of Jainism and Jaina preachings and which I am booked to propagate, is the Prime purpose of my visit to your place or center or anywhere you arrange.
I am writing this with a view to clarify my vision so that my performances may not be taken as mere entertainments - especially where Music performances are concerned. No doubt, I shall be most pleased and happy to sing all sorts of songs in all possible languages and in all the moods - but all of them will be pointed to the Devotion of Jineshwaras or Paramgurus and Self-realization. Further, my humble effort as per the orders of my Masters is to evolve and to check three-fold expressions of BHAKTI(Devotion), GYANA( Knowledge) & # YOGA(Realization and communion) and for this purpose only this humble writer has selected MUSIC, TALKS-nay, INNER EXPRESSIONS - and MEDITATION, the all sided, total, integrated three fold performances. And hence, I shall be happy if all these three-fold programs are arranged in at least two-three or more meetings & sittings. Bother not for my rest, do arrange and get what best I can present.
And before concluding one important request as regards my food, which the people everywhere, out of their utmost love and hospitality arrange treating me as a Royal Guest, about which I am a little scared. I am a small humble seeker, who doesn't deserve these all. Secondly, I have restricted my Diet to utmost simplicity and naturality as per the Jaina Principles for the purposes of 1) Self-seekings and meditational practices 2) Jainist Principles 3) Health - Nutritional minimum requirements and last but not the least for 4) experiencing in sympathy the oneness with my poor SADHARMIKAS and 'HAVE NOTS' in India, and as such I do not take LUXURIOUS FOODS, TASTY FOODS, ARTIFICIAL AND HEAVY DIETS. What all I need is simple diet only boiled vegetables & milk and cheap fruits.
I have written this in advance for your kind co-operation, information & clarification as per the policy of "AHARE VYAVAHARE CHA SPASHTAVAKTA BHAVET" to be frank in the matter of diet and dealings, which I hope, you will greatly accept: I wish, I pray: GIVE ME LOVE & NOT THE LUXURIES! Yours in internal communion, Pratapkumar J. Toliya