Hyderabad|India|August'2010: 1500 city based busy Jain CEOs, businessmen and professionals embraced tradition like never before. Lead a life of Jain Monk for a day on 15th August. They did not have bathing. There was prohibition of use of money, jewellery, vehicles, current/light, fan, no worldly comforts and possessions. Therer was no food to eat. When hungry at lunch time they had to go out on Bikshu to fetch food for lunch and dinner and then they had to eat the food begged from Jain Homes. They spent whole Sunday in silence, prayers, spirituality to remind them to be humble and sobriety.

A divided into several groups of 10 to 15 went around walking to Jain Homes in the vicinity on bikshu. One group comprised of Abhay Jain, Rajendra Kothari, Mahendra Lunawat, Anikumar Dank and others went to Mangala Apartment in Barkat Pura. They went to the home Tarachand Chajad on Bikshu. Tarachand made food for thrity people. His wife and mother served roti, rice, sweet, bajji to their guests. Then they went arount couple of houses and returned to Jain Sthanak Building Opp Kachiguda Railway Station had their lunch long with 1500 other fellow Jain and had their lunch.

Speaking about one day spiritual retreat 29year old Abhay Tated Jain who in Jewellery and financial business said one day this to get ‘moksha’. This life is a a journey. Right on we on the platform called earth. Tomorrow when we leave we must attain mokh. That is why i participated in this one day spiritual retreat to lead a life of a monk for a day. And I am enjoying this. I have been doing this for the fourth year now. But, this is the first time a large number of 1500 busy CEOs, Businessmen and Professional are taking part. This shows that lot us want to go back to our roots, said Abhay.

Rajendra Kothari, who is in Kothari Granites business participated because to feel good. And i want to lead a life of monk as often as possible. it gives me lot of inner strength. Mental peace. Mahendra Lunawat from Feelkhana is in sports business. He enjoyed leading a life of monk. It very tough. Now i know how difficult to lead a life of a monk. But, enjoy repeating this as often as i can, if provided opportunities. Shanti Lal, who is 67 years old and in the business of Gold and Jewellery, say age doesnt deter to be a monk for a day.

Gundecha Jain is in Forex Business. He is also into automobile finance business. I have a hectic life. I want to take a break. Initially i had little apprehension. Now i am very comfortable. It is difficult to give up worldly posessions. But not possible. I am glad i am able to lead a tough life of a monk, he said.

1500 city Jain businessmen and professionals renounced their daily comforts for a day on Sunday, 15th August and lead a life of Jain monks as part of ‘Bhikshu Daya’, a program organised by Greater Hyderabad Sri Vardhman Stanakvasi Jain Shravak Sangh.

Months beginning from July to October considered holy months for Jains. During this time Jains become more religious, do rigorous fasting, spend time in religious meetings, spirituality. Some give up night meals, just surviving on water.

But this time around corner 1500 city resident Jains who are into business and various professions gave up all their personal comforts for a day on 15th August. Sporting monks attire, dhoti and all. Monks carry a special broom to sweep any insects that may cross their path. They wear a cloth over the mouth to prevent accidental harm to airborne germs and insects. They also do not use electricity as it involves violence. Furthermore, they do not use any devices or machines. spend full day in prayers and service. They take this retreat for a day in busy life to sport a role of a monk. And will experience the lifestyle of the monk. The hardships monks are best known only when you are a monk. And that is what we want people of this modern age to experience so as to enable us to take back them to our roots, informed Mr. Rajendra Kimti, President of Greater Hyderabad Sri Vardhman Stanakvasi Jain Shravak Sangh.

A Monk's Journey is tough. We must occasionally take a week of silence to renew my spirit from this hustle bustle lifestyle. But, this is not done routinely. Though Jains have a tradition, but, not many follow. It is even more rare in present day circumstances. But, now some CEOs of major businesses, professionals, politicians would take a day of silent retreat as ordained Jain monks. This was to remind them to be humble in spirit and anchor themselves in sobriety, says Prakash Lodha, Vice President of Greater Hyderabad Sri Vardhman Stanakvasi Jain Shravak Sangh.

Says Capt. B.L. Jain, Secretary Greater Hyderabad Sri Vardhman Stanakvasi Jain Shravak Sangh leading a life of a monk is not easy. They are divested of all their metals and money. They denounce all worldly possessions. And are made to go for 'Bhiksha' (alms), two times in a day, once at lunch time other in the evening. These 1500 financially well off Jains will experience what it take to beg for food. They will go around Jain homes at Kachiguda, he said.

Life of a Jain monk is hard. A Jain monk or nun lives away from his or her family and travels from one place to another on foot. To a Jain monk, the whole world is his family. Jain monks usually live in groups of five or six. They have very few worldly possessions. They do not keep any money. The senior monk of the group lectures every morning and many householders go to listen to his lecture. The monks eat the food offered to them by the householders. The monks study almost the whole day. They meditate two or three times each day. The monks do not go from one town to another during the rainy season. They also do not go out for food when it is raining. These practices are followed to minimize accidental killing of small insects. The monks observe several fasts in a year. Jain monks do not eat before sunrise or after sunset. This is because the number of living organisms in the atmosphere is reduced by sunlight.

Manoj Kothari, Member - Greater Hyderabad Vardhaman Yuva Sanghatan said, this program gives us a peep into the lifestyle of the 13000 Jain monks, who give their life for propagation of peace and non violence and preachings of Lord Mahavira.

I’m not a monk, nor will I ever become one. However, I find great inspiration in the way they try to live their lives: the simplicity of their lives, the concentration and mindfulness of every activity, the calm and peace they find in their day says Swaroopchand Kothari, Convenor of Greater Hyderabad Sri Vardhman Stanakvasi Jain Shravak Sangh.We encourage our people to do it every year as a penance. It also purifies body and mind and reminds the preachings and practices of Mahavira and his emphasis on renunciation and asceticism.

-August'' 2010