Vardhaman Book on Jainism

Author(s): Jayshree Menon
Publisher: Bennete Coleman & Co Ltd

Page 46

THE FRAGRANCE
OF SERVICE
ACHARYA SHRI CHANDANAJI IS THE FIRST WOMAN ACHARYA IN JAINISIM'S OVER 2500 YEAR HISTORY!
TEXT NIIN KAPAN
t's nine in the night, and Acharya Shri Chandanaji has just arrived in Mumbai from
Gujarat, where she and her band of sadhuis have been ministering to the physical and emotional needs of the earthquake-devastated victims. And here she is tirelessly at work before she travels to her rural Navalveerayatan base (60 km. from Pune).
The small group of devotees sits around her, listening in rapt attention to the gentle lilt of her voice as she makes a point. Her sweet voice conceals the determination and devotion with which she has worked to serve not just her mentor Upadhyaya Shri Amar Muniji Maharaj and the tenets of Jainism, but all those who seek her out, whether for spiritual solace or nourishment of the body and mind.
Talking about her work - the Veeryatan and Navalveerayatan centres, the eye hospital, the work of education and personality building of needy children... would be an oversimplification of the work of Jainism's first woman Acharya in the religion's 2,500year history. She is the strength behind Veerayatan ('the land of Mahavir), which is not just a religious and charitable centre in Bihar, but a global movement pivoting around Jain philosophy and belief. Acharya Chandanaji set up the centre in Bihar, fulfilling her mentor's dream to have such an institution in the land of Bhagwan Mahavir.
She can be rightly credited with infusing a new life into Jainism and its glorious heritage, and making its tenets more appealing to the world, and more specifically to the young generation of Jains who tend to question blind dogma. Says Chandanaji, "They are looking for a scientific
approach." To this end, Chandanaji, who her. self, before starting on her mission, did an intense study of religion, grammar, philosophy, logic and several languages for nearly 13 years, began courses in Jain culture, history and be liefs at her two main centres. The number of smaller centres in cities around the world - UK, Africa, US and the Canada - has steadily been increasing as Generation X responds ardently to her efforts.
Travelling far and wide to spread Jainism for more than 25 years, the approachable Acharya Chandanaji has broken down the barriers that bound this beautiful, hitherto esoteric religion. Veeryatan is perhaps the only institution to offer these courses to devotees and seekers alike, welcoming everyone. Chandanaji's emphasis is on the proactive as. pects of her faith rather than rituals. (As a devotee interjects, "She never rebukes us if we haven't made the daily trip to the derasar.") Says Chandanaji, "Religion should be the source of bliss, not compulsion; otherwise it cannot grow."
To illustrate further sadhvi
Shilpiji, one of her close aides, says, "When we talk about ahimsa, it doesn't mean the passiveness of non-violence; as Chandanaji herself says, the positive message of Jainism is that of love, of doing constructive work, with the two-fold overall objective: to help others as well as yourself." Adds Chandanaji, "Ahimsa is one of the best things about our religion, which translates into friendship with all life. However, it doesn't mean that one who practices non-vio
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