Congratulations and a big “thank you” to AV and GS for providing a detailed account of the diksha ceremony of Bhanwarlal Doshi, a Delhi billionnaire. It makes you wonder what inspires someone to give up his $600 million worth of business empire, to renounce all luxuries and comforts that money brings with it and take on the harsh life of a Jain ascetic.
A person strives all his life in pursuit of wealth and monetary prosperity only to give them up for spiritual wealth and seek to attain moksha, Jainism’s ultimate aim. Moksha or nirvana is the liberation of the soul from the eternal cycle of birth, death and re-birth. Bhanwarlal was the owner of DR International, one of India’s largest plastic manufacturers, with a fortune that until recently ranked him as one of India’s richest 100 people. It must be noted that Jains have a long association with finance and commerce and have played a leading role in the economic development of modern India.
The life of a Jain sadhu, a muni, is very tough where detailed rules regulate the way in which he may seek whatever meagre food which is offered to him by others, to walk bare feet and spend most of his time performing “samayik” or meditation. I am sure Bhanwarbhai will learn to overcome these hardships and face them resolutely and with detachment.
Dinesh Sheth
Newbury Park, Ilford
