Three Jain couples to follow their kids into monkhood tomorrow

Three Jain couples to follow their kids into monkhood tomorrow

AHMEDABAD: Following their children’s footsteps, three Jain couples will embrace monkhood at Sabarmati Riverfront on Monday. Bhavesh and Jinal Bhandari from Ahmedabad, Jaswant and Dipika Shah from Surat, and Sanjay and Beena Sadadiya from Mumbai are among 35 people who will take diksha under the guidance of Acharya Yogtilaksuri.

Two years ago, the Bhandaris’ children – daughter Vishwa (19) and son Bhavya (16) – renounced the material world to walk on the path of dharma. The happiness their children experienced after diksha inspired the couple to take the plunge. Leading a monastic life means the Bhandaris would have nothing to do with their property and business, worth over Rs 100 crore.

A native of Sabarkantha, Bhavesh Bhandari recently made headlines when he donated food, clothes and cash during the grand procession held as part of the initiation ceremony. Dressed in finery, he and his wife rode an elephant covering the length of Himmatnagar city.

“I started with the auto finance business and later ventured into real estate and automobile dealerships. I have about 20 bighas of land in Ahmedabad. My children first donned the white garments and sowed the seed of an austere life in my mind. When I discussed it with my wife, she said she too wanted to give up the life of comfort and luxury,” said Bhavesh.

“We have enjoyed everything that money could buy us. But money can only take you thus far. With my children choosing their paths, all that was left for me to do was accumulate more wealth and nothing else,” Bhavesh added.

Jaswant and Dipika Shah, residents of Mumbai’s Bhayandar, will leave their property behind for their daughter. Their twin sons Arth & Ansh had taken diksha seven and two years ago, respectively. Jaswant’s brother Girish had taken diksha 17 years ago. “We want to follow in our sons’ footsteps on path of asceticism,” Jaswant said.

The Sadadiyas are the last to be taking diksha in their family. “Our entire family is now on the path of salvation. It will be a new experience, but I believe we will know what true happiness is,” said Sanjay, a textile businessman.

According to Jain acharyas, renunciation isn’t just about shaving one’s head and wearing white clothes. A person wanting to become a monk follows same routine each day, eats the same kind of food, walks barefoot and sleeps on ground. Monday’s event will be one of the biggest diksha ceremonies to be held in recent times, according to community members.

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