Jinamanjari 2001 04 No 23

Author(s): Jinamanjari
Publisher: Canada Bramhi Jain Society Publication

Page 52

numbers of followers to congregate in a social environment of religious discipline. It is a place where aspirants' religious practises are insulated from the distractions of normal society. Importantly, it offers disciples the opportunity to benefit from a more intimate relationship with their guru by sharing a closer proximity. Residents may be either permanent or temporary, an āśram offers temporary residents a sanctuary of spiritual rejuvenation.
For example I know of one retired couple living in London who spend four months every winter at their guru's āśram at Kobā. Residents may be retired people who have already raised a family, or younger people who have chosen, with their guru's approval, to remain unmarried. The daily programme of the āśram at Kobā, is representative of āśram activities within the Srimad Rājacandra movement:
5 am wake-up bell, 5.30-6.45 bhakti dedicated to Śrīmad, 7.30-8.00 breakfast, 8.45-9.45 pūjā dedicated in rotation to each of the Tirthankaras, 10.00-10.45 svādhyāya (religious/scriptural instruction) given by either by Atmānand (the guru) or a senior disciple, 12.00 lunch, 13.00-15.00 free period and tea break, 16.00-16.45 group readings of Jain scripture and śrīmad's writings, 16.45-17.15 meditation, 17.30-17.45 dinner before sunset (because eating is not permitted after dark), 18.00 opportunity for a more informal discussion with the guru during an evening walk outside the boundaries of the aśram, 19.15-19.30 ārati in the āśramos temple, 19.45-20.15 meditation, 20.15-21.15 bhakti dedicated to śrīmad.
Residents and visitors are expected to attend a minimum of four religious events daily, ātmānand's svādhyāya and at least one bhakti are compulsory.
By preaching guru bhakti śrīmad ensured the continuation of his tradition through the succession of living gurus that look to him as their authority and by the disciples who are attracted to these gurus. The śrīmad Räjacandra
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