Book Title: Prabuddha Jivan 2018 11
Author(s): Sejal Shah
Publisher: Mumbai Jain Yuvak Sangh

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Page 57
________________ travel to Geneva, he decided to not make any public Harvard and again in New York few days later. You announcements of his marriage at that time. He can say Chitrabhanuji had attracted a western follower reasoned that it would not be right to demonstrate his within one hour of arriving in America. boldness or be provocative in any way and incur their Chitrabhanuji's presentation at the Spiritual ire and disapproval. He knew that one day, their Summit Conference at the Harvard Divinity College emotions would subside, and they would be ready to was dubbed by local newspapers as the "Hit Speaker receive the news. In July, he then proceeded to Africa, of the Day". He was invited to a reception at the home his first stop was Nairobi, Kenya. of the Governor Sargent Shriver after the conference. A Jain sadhu in Africa? The Jain community's in The accolades and respect he received made him a Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda responded speaker very much in demand at churches, tremendously. During his 52 days in Africa, universities and seminars all over the east coast. Chitrabhanuji emphasized message of Maitry-religion America became his third Karmabhoomi. of friendship. Chitrabhanuji praised humanitarian After the summit conference Chitrabhanuji went initiatives of the community and encouraged them to to Chicago where Pramodaji flew in from Mumbai. For do even more for their adopted homeland. He then flew a few months they lived with a former Chitrabhanuji's to London. He spent a week addressing thousands of student. On January 26, 1972 Pramodaji gave birth to people-Asians as well as westerners. He talked about their first son Rajeev as Chitrabhanuji was busy giving the possibilities of blending the Eastern wisdom with lectures at various centers. He was committed to an the technological advances of the west. By interfaith forum in Mumbai, so he made that trip. He synthesizing two modes of living, modern man can felt that this was the right opportunity to share with the attain the peak of evolution and perfection of his human students and the trustees of the Divine Knowledge qualities. Society the various decisions and path he had chosen The World Vegetarian Congress in the Hague was for himself. Later he wrote a long open letter which his next destination. He shared his thoughts and was published in the newspapers through which public perceptions on the vegetarian way of life from a variety came to know that he had relinquished the of viewpoints including spiritual growth, morality, health, responsibilities of the Divine Knowledge Society and aesthetics and ecology. He added, "Human beings ask moved into a new life as a free global citizen and a for mercy of their creator, but one who has lived householder to share the message of non-violence mercilessly on the flesh of animals all through his life, around the world. how he can ask for mercy from God? Before returning Meanwhile in America, Pramodaji flew to New York to Mumbai, he flew couple of weeks in USA visiting with her six-week-old son. One of Chitrabhanuji's Jains of various large cities like Philadelphia, New York, American student Elizabeth Cattell had given them an Chicago and Los Angeles. open invitation to stay with her which they did for fifteen As soon as he returned to India, an invitation to months. Their second son Darshan was born in that deliver a speech at the Third Spiritual Summit home. Chitrabhanuji returned from India in March 1972 Conference at the Harvard Divinity school was waiting with renewed energy to New York. He began teaching for him. He was chosen as a keynote speaker with an meditation at a college at night. On Friday nights he air ticket was awaiting his consent. would give talk at a Yoga center. In 1973 Chitrabhanuji Chitrabhanuji landed at JFK airport on September led the Mahavir Jayanti celebration at the United Nations 11, 1971 without even a penny in his pocket. In contrast Chapel. to the hundreds who would greet him on his arrival, Chitrabhanuji made his presence so well known Chitrabhanuji, in all white Indian attire stood alone - that in December of 1973, The New York times did a searching for a person from New York Jain community long story on him calling him Pope John Paul of who was to receive him and help him along to Boston. Jainism. The elaborate report said that "...He is no A kind American woman helped him when she realized evangelist seeking to convert followers to Jainism. He that he was in America to speak at the Harvard Divinity encourages them to become strong in body, mind and school. She was so impressed with the calm and soul to take charge of their own spiritual journey. And radiance he was projecting even in the adverse use their energies for the benefit of all through Ahimsa. circumstances, she took down the details and attended But that is not surprising. Even before setting foot Chitrabhanuji's speech hundreds of miles away at overseas, Chitrabhanuji's writings had helped a young 1 નવેમ્બર- ૨૦૧૮ Y61

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