Rakesh Jhaveri

Rakesh Jhaveri

Rakesh Jhaveri
Born September 26, 1966
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Nationality Indian
Religion Jain
Website
Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur

Rakesh Jhaveri[1] (born September 26, 1966) is a spiritual leader, scholar of Jainism and orator.[2] He is a disciple of the nineteenth century scholar, philosopher, and spiritual leader Shrimad Rajchandra. He is the founder and spiritual leader of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur, a global movement with the stated aim of helping seekers "realise one's true self and serve others selflessly". Books based on his discourses and literary works have been translated in 10 languages.[3][4] In addition, his discourses are aired daily on several mainstream Indian television channels.[5][6]

Early life and education

Rakesh Jhaveri was born in Mumbai, India on September 26, 1966 to Dilip and Rekha Jhaveri, who followed the Śvētāmbara Murtipujak tradition of Jainism. In 1972, he began his academic studies at Activity High School in Mumbai. At the age of 8, he came across a picture of Shrimad Rajchandra and, as he describes it, he immediately had a Samadhi-like experience.[7] He acknowledged Shrimad Rajchandra as his Guru and in 1983, after he completed the ICSE exam, he declared that he would devote the rest of his life to the pursuit and spreading of spirituality. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Osmania University, Hyderabad, in 1988 and completed the entire 3 year course in a period of just 3 months.[7] He undertook post-graduate studies at the University of Mumbai,[8] graduating with a Master of Arts degree in Philosophy in 1991 and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1998. His PhD thesis was a study of Atmasiddhi, composed in Gujarati by Shrimad Rajchandra.[9]

Personal study

Beginning in 1983, Jhaveri states he spent 18 months in the caves of Hampi in Southern India, immersed in deep meditation. Thereafter, he spent months in solitude at places like Palitana, Idar, Mount Abu and Dumas, where he remained engaged in silence, study and sadhana.[10]

Jhaveri says that during this period, he studied the literary works of Shrimadji and Śvētāmbara and Digambara Jain scriptures. He also studied Sanskrit, logic, Indian philosophies, yoga, astrology and classical Indian music. During this time in his life, Pujya Gurudevshri observed Mauna (silence) for 12 hours every day, and observed complete silence for the last 3 days of every month. This practice continued for a period of twelve and a half years.[10]

Establishing Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram and Shrimad Rajchandra Mission, Dharampur

In 2001, on the day of Mahavir Jayanti, he established Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram at Dharampur. The ashram is located on the hillock of Mohangadh.

In 2002, Pujya Gurudevshri began the tradition of initiating Atmarpits on his birthday. This group of followers choose to give up worldly possessions and commit to celibacy. Many of the atmarpits have post doctoral education levels.[11][12] In 2010, under the guidance of Jhaveri, Shrimad Rajchandra Mission began and has 73 Satsang centres, 30 Youth group centres and 188 Divinetouch centres worldwide. In addition, Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur also manages Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care (SRLC)[13]

Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care program

Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care has been participating in the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon since 2011. It has been the highest fund-raising NGO for four consecutive years collecting approximately 77.26 lakh in 2011,[14][15] 96.92 lakh in 2012,[16] 1.38 crore in 2013 [17] and 1.58 crore in 2014.[18] Over 750 supporters of SRLC participated in Mumbai Marathon 2014 with the theme, ‘Extend Love and Care’. It topped the chart with 27 Dream Teamers and 24 corporate teams, SRLC emerged as the NGO with the maximum corporate support, showing the confidence that the corporates have in SRLC's social initiatives.[19]

References

  1. ↑ Chhapia, Hemali (February 2013). "MBAs, doctors, engineers surrender soul to service and prayers". Times of India.
  2. ↑ " ", The South Asian Times, 9th Sept,2012
  3. ↑
  4. ↑
  5. ↑
  6. ↑
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 “The Messiah in white” Life Positive January 2013.]
  8. ↑ "", The Times Of India, Feb3,2103, Last paragraph
  9. ↑ "", The University Of Chicago Library
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 http://www.shrimadrajchandramission.org/pujyashri-gurudev/life-intense-study-and-sadhana-586.htm
  11. ↑ "", Times Of Inida, Feb3,2013
  12. ↑ "", DNA, Oct13,2011
  13. ↑ “Seva activities” Retrieved on June 06, 2014.
  14. ↑ “SCMM Charity Docket” p. 15
  15. ↑ “This time, Mumbai Marathon raises Rs. 12.6cr for charity” Hindustan Times, March 29, 2011, p. 2. Alternate source: http://www.shrimadrajchandramission.org/news-events/press-articles-578.htm?start=276
  16. ↑ “SCMM Charity Docket 2012” p. 8, p. 25
  17. ↑ ”SCMM Charity Docket 2012” p. 29
  18. ↑ “STANDARD CHARTERED MUMBAI MARATHON 2014 CHARITY AWARDS” Retrieved June 08, 2014.
  19. ↑ “The NGO with the maximum corporate support, Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care shines once again at the Mumbai Marathon” APNNEWS January 19, 2014.