Millionaire becomes a monk

AHMEDABAD: Delhi's 'plastics king', Bhanwarlal Raghunath Doshi, gave up his over 600-crore business empire (that is about 100 million USD) to embrace Jain monastic life at an extravagant ceremony in the city on Sunday - that is how the Jains do it, a memorable send-off to the person becoming a monk.


Welcome to Jain diksha.com - Diksha Mahotsav of Sanghvi Shri Bhanwar Lalji Doshi

Aupmanyav said:

AHMEDABAD: Delhi's 'plastics king', Bhanwarlal Raghunath Doshi, gave up his over 600-crore business empire to embrace Jain monastic life at an extravagant ceremony in the city on Sunday - that is how the Jains do it, a memorable send-off to the person becoming a monk.. (That is about 100 million USD).

Welcome to Jain diksha.com - Diksha Mahotsav of Sanghvi Shri Bhanwar Lalji Doshi

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Much respect for this gentleman!

Jains make "deeksha" a joyous occasion. The males are dressed as grooms (Varaghoda - groom on the horse) and the ladies are dressed as brides. Don't know about Buddhists, but among Hindus there will be a lot of opposition and lamentation. Generally Hindus desirous of taking sannyas will just go away.

Jains also have the 'death by wish' ritual, 'Santhara' or 'Sallekhana', generally the vow is taken by old people. They believe that living by itself adds to karmas (good and bad) without our knowing. So, by opting for 'death', one cuts off the stream of karmas, so to say, writes his/her karmas him/herself. Sallekhana (Skt. Sam + lekhana = Self writing). If I am wrong anywhere, Jain members are welcome to correct me.

Now that man made a grand renunciation. I bow to him.