Introduction
Rakesh Jhaveri, commonly known as Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshbhai, (born 26 September 1966) is a spiritual leader, scholar of Jainism, author and orator from India. He is a follower of the nineteenth century spiritual teacher Shrimad Rajchandra. He is the founder of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission, Dharampur.
Early life
Rakesh Jhaveri was born in Mumbai, India on 26 September 1966 to Dilip and Rekha Jhaveri, who followed the Śvētāmbara Murtipujaka tradition of Jainism. In 1972, he began his academic studies at Activity High School in Mumbai. He acknowledged Shrimad Rajchandra as his Guru and in 1983, after he completed the ICSE exam, and decided devote his life to spiritual activities. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Osmania University, Hyderabad, in 1988. He post-graduated in Philosophy in 1991 from University of Mumbai. He completed PhD in 1998 from University of Mumbai. His PhD thesis was a study of Atmasiddhi, a spiritual work composed by Shrimad Rajchandra. He observed absolute silence and traveled extensively from 1985 to 1990.
Institutions
Shrimad Rajchandra Mission, Dharampur
He established Shrimad Rajchandra Adhyatmik Satsang Sadhana Kendra in 1994. In 1999, the construction of ashram at Dharampur started. In 2001, on the day of Mahavir Jayanti, he opened Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram at Dharampur. The ashram is located on the hillock of Mohangadh spread across 223 acres. It has 101 Satsang centres, 39 Youth Group Centres and 227 Divine Touch Centres worldwide.
In 2002, He started initiating his followers, Atmarpits, on his birthday. These followers give up worldly possessions and commit to celibacy. Many of the atmarpits have post doctoral education levels.
His followers organised three day festival at the NSCI Dome in Worli, Mumbai to mark his 50th birthday in September 2016. Shrimad Rajchandra Vidyapeeth, a science college for tribal students in South Gujarat was unveiled on the occasion. In November 2016, the mission produced a play, Yugpurush: Mahatma na Mahatma depicting spiritual relationship between Shrimad Rajchandra and Mahatma Gandhi.
Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care
He established Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care program for universal upliftment.
Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care has been participating in the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon since 2011. It has been the highest fund-raising NGO for seven consecutive years collecting approximately 77.26 lakh in 2011, 96.92 lakh in 2012, 1.38 crore in 2013, 1.5 crore in 2014 1.6 crore in 2015. 2.56 crore in 2016. 3.83 crore in 2017.
In May 2015, U.S. Ambassador to India Richard Verma hosted him at a reception at the Roosevelt House which included participation of the Global Interfaith Water and Sanitation Alliance (GIWA). GIWA, with support from UNICEF, is demonstrating the critical and unique role of religious leaders to reach large numbers of people across economic classes and geographies to promote access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in India. The event explored potential areas for collaboration between GIWA and USAID to support the Government of India’s Swachh Bharat Mission, particularly focused on behavior change to promote healthy WASH behaviors and toilet use.
In 2016, he with more than 3000 people pledged to donate their organs at an event in Mumbai. In 2017, he was awarded certificates of appreciation in spreading awareness of organ donation in India and across the world by National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organisation and the Zonal Transport Coordination Centre, Mumbai.
In November 2016, he with chief minister of Gujarat Vijay Rupani opened the science college in Dharampur, Shrimad Rajchandra Vidyapeeth to the public. The college was virtually inaugurated in September 2016.
Personal life
Though he follows several principles of Jain monasticism, observing the vows of celibacy, aparigraha (non-attachment), ahimsa (non-violence), truth and achaurya (non-stealing), he does not consider himself a monk. He resides with his followers at the Ashram in Dharampur and with his family when in Mumbai.
Books
- 2011 – A Life Worth Living - Inspiring seekers to lead a Meaningful life , 187 pp. ISBN 978-93-84405-47-2
- 2011 – Embark on the Inner Journey: Transformation through introspection , 217 pp. ISBN 978-93-84405-22-9
- 2012 – The Path Enlightened - Discovering the essence of religion, 179 pp. ISBN 978-93-84405-32-8
- 2012 – Seek Thy Eternal Self, 179 pp. ISBN 978-93-84405-19-9
- 2013 – Bliss within - Shattering the illusion of false happiness,to attain true joy , 210 pp. ISBN 978-93-84405-48-9
- 2013 – Time to awaken - "Guidance for bringing an end to transmigration and accelerating the journey to liberation, 219 pp. ISBN 978-93-84405-60-1
- 2014 – Shrimad Rajchandra - Saga of Spirituality, 275 pp. ISBN 978-81-929141-1-4
- 2015 – A Divine Union, 162 pp. ISBN 978-93-84405-65-6
- 2016 – Sadguru Insights: 50 Enlightening Lessons from the Master, 208 pp. ISBN 978-93-84405-67-0
Documentary
- Unmoved Mover - A Mystic and His Mission (2016)