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The Jains through Time
Jain Education International
The Diksha Ceremony
The year 1978 was very important for Veerayatan as three great celebrations were held consecutively on March 8th, 9th and 10th. Two thousand five hundred years ago, on the historical land of Gunashil Park, situated in the foothills of Vaibhargiri, thousands of spiritual aspirants had taken diksha in Mahavir's order. Once again this inspirational renunciation ceremony was being seen in the land of Veerayatan. Many people from different parts of the country were rewarded by this magnificent sight. The fifth anniversary of Veerayatan's foundation was celebrated on March 8th, while March 9th marked the Silver Jubilee of Darshanacharya Sadhvishri Chandanaji's ordination as a sadhvi. On the following day, March 10th, three dikshas were held at Veerayatan. Kumari Vimal and Kumari Shobhna dedicated their lives to the order of Tirthankar Mahavir and became the disciples of Sadhvi Shri Chandanaji Maharaj. The name Sadhvi Vibhaji was conferred on Kumari Vimal, and the name Sadhvi Shubamji was given to Kumari Shobhna. Kumar Dayaram was called
Devapriya Muniji and he became the disciple of Shri Jinesh Muniji.
These holy celebrations of diksha helped to increase awareness of the purity of Veerayatan's objectives in people's minds and deepen their appreciation of its activities. This newly-defined image of Jainism was making Veerayatan a centre of attraction. The development of Veerayatan was thus a step in the renaissance of Jainism in Bihar. More and more eye-camps were held and their success brought trust and respect for Veerayatan from the common people. As the fame of the camps spread, the number of patients coming for treatment increased. This selfless service benefitted people from Bihar and those from far-off states alike.
Foresight
The following incident happened in the winter of 1978, when, as in every year, an eye-camp was held at Veerayatan. Rajendra Singh Surana from Agra, his close family and friends and members of the Agra Mahila Mandal' worked hard at the camp. In
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