Jainism Abroad

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

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GLIMPSES OF MY VISIT TO U.S.A (On A.I.R, Bangalore After The First Tour In 1981)
Srimad Rajchandraji, a great modern seer, spiritual guide of Mahatma Gandhiji and my indirect Great Master has written at one place, "IN THE PRESENT TIMES, DEVOTION & SPIRITUAL ASPIRATIONS HAVE GONE ABROAD FROM INDIA"-----
I surprisingly realized this to be true during my recent (three-fold programmes) tour of the United States of America. No, it was neither a pleasure trip nor a Business one. It was what I was longing for since long---- It was an unusual tour for religious/spiritual propagation and awakening through three-fold performances of Vocal Instrumental Music, Meditation and Speeches inspired and initiated by my late direct masters like Padmabhooshan Dr. Pandit Sukhlalji and Yogindra Yugapradhan Sri. SAHAJANANDAGHANJI of Srimad Rajachandra Ashram, Hampi, blessed by my spiritual Holy Mother MATAJI DHANDEVIJI, (Helped and sponsored by some friends and International Mahaveer Jain Mission of Ohio, U.S.A) this visit proved the above observation (of S.Rajchandraji) that in fact the people abroad, the Americans are craving much for spirituality, than we the monopolists of Spirituality. They are perhaps, much more apt and awakened for the same. This is what Swami Vivekananda had also observed and mentioned, in his Chicago speeches.
My prime purpose of my visit to U.S.A was three-fold, my presentation was also threefold. As I had written through a circular letter to my organizing Hosts all over America in advance, "MY MISSION OF THREE-FOLD PERFORMANCES OF MEDITATION, MUSIC AND TALKS FOR KINDLING the light of Self-Realization as guided and blessed in the Divine plan to propagate, is the prime purpose of my visit Abroad and therefore to your centre or place too)".
Blessed and Financially sponsored by Mataji Dhandeviji of Hampi, Sri. Surendra Mehta pf Jain Sangha, Madras and organized by Vardhaman Bharati, Bangalore & International, Mahaveer Jain Mission, Parma, Ohio(U.S.A), my first programme was at the First International Jain Conference at The U.N.Plaza on 30 October 1981. With the grace and blessings of my Great Masters, Best wishes of H.E. The Governor of Karnataka and a number of my well wishers, Friends and organizations in India and with the efforts of the President of international Mahaveer Jain Mission, I could reach well in time and landed at New York's Kennedy Airport on Gandhi Jayanti Day the 2nd October 1981, with my usual symbolic Gandhian Indian Dress and Sitar & Soor Mandal in my hands.
The international Jain Conference commenced with my NAMSKAR MAHA MANTRA, other Sanskrit shlokas and Hindi songs of "Viron ki Baat" saying the path of love and Non-violence is one of the braves and not of the Cowards.
After this opening session at the chapel of United Nations Plaza this unique conference called by International Mission, for the Spiritual Awakening, and for propagating the ideas of "Ahimsa -Non-violence" and Self-Realization Jain of 'Arihantas-Jain Tirthankaras", all over the world commenced. Apart from other learned speakers, I had to speak on these subjects, to give two more Religious Songs Sessions at the Conference and One Special Performance of Devotional and "Music for Meditation" at New York.
After this two day conference and after my three days stay with Muni SushilKumarji at his Jain Ashram at New York's Stretan Island, my actual tour of nearly all the places of America began I toured New York, Rochester, Boston, Washington, Cleveland, Detroit, Flint, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Connecticut, in course of it I was fortunate to meet people from innocent little school children to laymen, educated persons and scholars of Universities.
This consists of about 100 sittings or meetings of varied nature of Music, Speeches of Meditation, talks and discussions including three Radio Programmes and one T.V. Programme of Songs on Sitar. It began at Rochester, (apart from seeing the Kodak and other factories). My visit to two public schools and singing and talking to the children proved to be thought-provoking at the very outset, not only due to the prosperity of life and wonderful, useful educational amenities of the schools, which may be only a 'Dream' ever for the Aristocrat Indian Schools, but also due to the careful attention of the teachers loyal to their duties, these children were much more developed, physically mentally