Bhavesh Bhandari a Businessman from Ahmedabad and his wife Jinal took a life-altering decision, renouncing their materialistic life and embracing Monkhood. Before embarking on their journey the family had donated their entire fortune, estimated at a staggering Rs 200 crore.
In 2022, their 19-year-old daughter and 16-year-old son took Diksha under the guidance of Acharya Dev Vijay Yog Tilak Surji Maharj, a spiritual leader the Bhandari family has followed for nearly a decade. Following the same path the Bhandari couple will join a procession where they will part with all their possessions, symbolizing their detachment from material attachments on April 22, in a grand Diksha ceremony, planned to be held at the Sabarmati Riverfront.
“It was not an easy decision,” Bhavesh Bhandari told The Indian Express. “But I have chosen the right path for living, and for that, I have selected monkhood.”
The five-day diksha ceremony, starting April 18th, is expected to be a grand affair, attracting thousands of Jain devotees from across India and abroad. The main venue at the Sabarmati Riverfront will have seating arrangements for 30,000 people and will be illuminated by over 2,000 lamp lights.
The journey towards monkhood entails a profound transformation. After the ceremony, the Bhandari couple. Like other monks, will relinquish familial ties and material benefits. They will adopt celibacy, walk barefoot, and subsist on alms, adhering to the principles of Jainism. The Transition includes receiving only two pairs of white garments, a begging bowl, and a white broom known as “rajoharan”, used to gently brush away insects without causing harm, in line with the Jain vow of non-violence. The couple is not alone along with them 35 individuals, including businessmen and their families, will renounce their material wealth to seek spiritual liberation
Taking Diksha signifies a complete renunciation of worldly possessions and pleasures. After the ceremony, Bhavesh and Jinal along with other participants, will have to adhere to a strict code of conduct. This includes giving up family ties and surviving on alms collected during daily begging rounds. Most Jain monks also shave their heads to prevent lice, typically by plucking out their hair one by one.
The Bhandari family’s story is not unique within the Jain community. Jainism, an ancient Indian religion that emphasizes non-violence and asceticism, has a long tradition of individuals giving up their wealth and pursuing spiritual liberation. In 2015, Bhawarlal Doshi, a millionaire businessman known as the “plastic king of India”, also embraced monkhood in Ahmedabad. Even last year, a multi-millionaire diamond trader and his wife, following the footsteps of their 12-year-old son, opted to give up their worldly possessions and accept monkhood
As the Bhandari family and others prepare to embark on their spiritual journey, their actions signify a deep commitment to their spiritual beliefs. With each step towards monkhood, these families reaffirm their commitment to a path of inner peace and spiritual fulfillment, inspiring others to contemplate the true meaning of abundance in an ever-changing world. Their decision is likely to inspire others within the Jain community and generate curiosity among those unfamiliar with Jain practices.
