Announcements 26-08-2023

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Honorary Doctor of Divinity Conferred upon Pujya Gurudevshri:

• By the grace of Shrimad Rajchandraji, Pujya Gurudevshri has been conferred with an Honorary Doctor of Divinity in the field of spiritual and humanitarian activities by the esteemed Claremont School of Theology, USA.
• It is a matter of great pride and honour not just for the Jain community but for the entire nation, as Pujya Gurudevshri holds the distinction of being the first recipient from India and the first from a non-Christian faith in the college’s 130-year history.
• Pujya Gurudevshri was awarded His first doctorate (PhD) in 1998 by the University of Mumbai for His commentary on Shrimad Rajchandraji’s magnum opus, Shri Atmasiddhi Shastra.
• Please click here to watch a short video of the ceremony.

Paryushan Mahaparva 2023 in Mumbai (Tue, 12 – Tue, 19 Sep, 2023):

• The crown jewel of Jain festivals, Paryushan Mahaparva will be celebrated on a grand scale at NSCI Dome, Worli in Mumbai from Tue, 12 – Tue, 19 Sep, 2023.
• The morning sessions will begin with joyous Snatra puja after which Pujya Gurudevshri will elucidate upon the sacred text Swayambhustotra. Herein, Pujya Gurudevshri will bless the devotees with pravachans based on the stavans of Shri Shantinath Bhagwan, Shri Kunthunath Bhagwan and Shri Aranath Bhagwan from ‘Swayambhustotra’, composed by Swami Shri Samantbhadracharya.
• The evening sessions will begin with diverse elevating spiritual practices like bhakti and meditations. These will be followed by Pujya Gurudevshri’s pravachans on the ‘Essence of Religion’ based on Patrank 47 of Shrimad Rajchandra Vachanamrut.
• As a part of the evening sessions, there will be a play based on Bhagwan Mahavir’s teachings, titled ‘Dharmana Mukhya Chaar Ang’; a special thought-provoking dance drama, ‘The Quest for Happiness’ will also be performed by the children of Shrimad Rajchandra Divinetouch.
• Timings during Paryushan Mahaparva will be as follows:
  • Morning: 7:30 am – 10:00 am; Entry starts at 6:30 am
  • Evening: 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm; Entry starts at 6:30 pm
• On Sat, 16 Sep, there will be Mahavir Janma Celebrations.
• On Sun, 17 Sep, a special workshop for children by the name ‘I Love Paryushan’ will be held from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm. This will be for children of the age group 8-16 years (Grade 2-10). ‘I Love Paryushan’ is an immersive and educational workshop designed to help children understand and appreciate the significance of Paryushan, fostering a deep connection with their heritage through interactive activities, games, stories and discussions.
• On Tue, 19 Sep, the pious day of Samvatsari, in addition to Snatra Puja and Pravachan, there will be Samvatsarik Alochana held in the afternoon. Timings for the Samvatsari day will be:
  • Morning: 9:30 am – 12:00 pm
  • Evening: 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
• A special mandir setup will be done in NSCI Dome for all 8 days of the Paryushan Mahaparva so that seekers may take laabh of darshan and perform puja of Jineshwar Bhagwan. Timings, as follows:
  • Morning: 7:00 am – 11:00 am
  • Evening: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
• An interactive virtual tour of Shri Dharampur Tirth and the various spiritual and social activities of the Mission will also be arranged.
• The foundation stone-laying ceremony of Shrimad Rajchandra Ahimsa Experience Centre will also be done during the Paryushan Mahaparva.
• In order to facilitate smooth travel to and from the venue, special bus services have been arranged:
  • Free bus service to and from NSCI Dome has been arranged towards the nearest railway stations – Mahalakshmi, Mumbai Central and Byculla.
  • AC Bus Shuttles at subsidised rates have been arranged as below:
    • For Central Suburbs: Mulund to NSCI Dome and return
    • For Western Suburbs: Dahisar Highway to NSCI Dome and return
    • Bus coupons can be purchased through the Mission website or via WhatsApp bot system – Message “P” or “Paryushan” to +91 99200 58000 latest by Wed, 6 Sep, 2023.
• Food packets will be available for morning and evening (chauvihar) meals during the first seven days of the Paryushan Mahaparva – Tue, 12 – Mon, 18, Sep. Meal coupons can be purchased through the Mission website or via the WhatsApp bot system. Message “P” or “Paryushan” to +91 99200 58000 till 10:30 pm on the day previous to the meal.
• There will be a dining facility for mumukshus to consume food that they may have bought from home.
• For mumukshus who wish to do Paryushan Mahaparva aradhana from Dharampur Ashram, relay of all the events that will be held at NSCI Dome has been arranged. In addition, there will be Swamivatsalya at the Ashram for all the eight days of Paryushan Mahaparva.
• Throughout the Paryushan Mahaparva, to take laabh of Swamivatsalya, Tilak, Arti, Mangal Divo, Chamar and various other laabhs, please click here.
• Alternatively, you may also contact Mission Trustee Premarpit Gautambhai Shah, 09821049338; [email protected].
• Those who wish to take laabh of Ghauli during Snatra Puja are requested to apply online, latest by Sun, 3 Sep, 2023.
• Please click here to visit the Mission website and view all details related to Paryushan Mahaparva 2023.

Pujya Gurudevshri’s Presence at the Ashram (Mon, 28 Aug – Sun, 10 Sep, 2023):

• Pujya Gurudevshri will be physically present in the Ashram from Mon, 28 Aug – Sun, 10 Sep, 2023.
• On Mon, 28 Aug, the two newly initiated Atmarpits will be welcomed to their new home – the Ashram.
• There will be Sadguru Udghosh from Tue, 29 Aug – Fri, 1 Sep, 2023. This will be a paravartana of Pujya Gurudevshri’s Mumbai Pravachan held on 26 Aug, 2023.
• On the blessed day of Sat, 2 Sep, 2023, the Shilanyas Ceremony of new Digambar Jinmandir will be held from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. All are invited to be a part of this auspicious ceremony.
• On Sun, 3 Sep, 2023, there will be paravartana of Pujya Gurudevshri’s Pravachan held on the day of Gurupurnima (3 Jul, 2023).
• From Mon, 4 Sep, 2023 onwards Pujya Gurudevshri will be on retreat in the Ashram.

Relief Activity by SRLC for Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand Flood Victims:

• In early July 2023, severe torrential rains caused devastation in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand by way of landslides and floods. Several roads were blocked and bridges damaged.
• Volunteers of SRLC in association with Roseate Medipharma distributed essentials like blankets, utensils, bedsheets in Mandi, Kullu, Shimla and other surrounding areas. Ration kits and tents were also distributed in Uttarakhand.
• Various senior government authorities of both Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have applauded the efforts of Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care.

Paryushan Mahaparva 2023 Celebrated in New Jersey (Sun, 13 – Sun, 20 Aug, 2023):

• The first Paryushan Mahaparva of the year 2023 was celebrated in New Jersey, USA from Sun, 13 – Sun 20 Aug, 2023, through a unique residential retreat with Pujya Gurudevshri.
• Please click here to watch the video highlights of the celebrations.

Forthcoming Pravachan:

• The next pravachan will be held on the first day of Paryushan Mahaparva at NSCI Dome, Worli on Tue, 12 Sep, 2023 at 7:30 am.