Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshbhai Explains His Life, Teachings, and Mission

Chicago IL: After his noon discourse on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013 at the Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago center in Bartlett (435 N. Route 59, Bartlett, IL 60103), Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshbhai accorded Asian Media USA and TV Asia a live interview about his life, teachings, and mission. Gurudevshri was preaching across the US for about 3 weeks (from 12 Feb to 3 March), visiting New Jersey, Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Diego. He was in Chicago from Feb 23–26 and gave a public discourse in Gujarati on Saturday evening as well.

Could you share a synopsis of your personal spiritual itinerary?
Basically my inner strength in spirituality was awakened at the age of 4. After I met my Guruji through a book at the age of 8, I used to meditate and go into silence, study scriptures, and stayed in caves for 2 years. Then we opened an ashram in 2001 in Gujarat to carry on with spiritual activities along with service (sewa).

Tell us about your guru Shrimad Rajchandraji?
He was guide to Gandhiji also. When Gandhiji was in South Africa and was in turmoil, he asked 27 questions from South Africa and Rajchandraji had answered them.
[Editor’s note: A fascinating account of how Gandhi renounced an inclination to convert from Hinduism either to Islam or Christianity under the influence of this Jain merchant is available at
http://www.shrimadrajchandramission.org/inspiration/shrimad-rajchandraji/shrimadji-and-gandhiji-308.htm].
That was 120 years back and that became a spiritual treatise on “the realization of the self” (atma-siddhi-shastra) on which I have done my PhD.

What drew you to his interpretation of Jain tradition?
I must have been through some link from the past life. He expounded the Jain religion from ritualistic practices and dry dogmatic values to practical religion. I think that is what attracted me the most. Religion becomes meaningful and playful for us.

How is your spiritual lineage distinct from mainstream Jainism?
Basically I try to make religion logical and practical, adopting a scientific approach towards religion to ensure that it benefits you in day-to-day life also. So religion is meaningful and playful for us. It gives us immense joy by practicing religion. Joy is not the fruit of religion, joy is basically religion. Yes, the ascetic side of traditional Jaina practice is subordinated to this inner bliss.

What is the mission of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur?
We are engaged in welfare of both self (sva-mangal or atma-kalyan) and of society at large (sarva-mangal). Swamangal is pursued through devotion (bhakti), meditation, spiritual company (satsang), study of scriptures, etc., and sarvamangal through service (sewa). We have a ten-pronged ‘love and care’ program that includes medical health, educational help, environmental, humanitarian, childcare, etc. We are engaged in both service and spiritual discipline (sadhana).
[Editor’s note: The structure of the Mission is outlined at http://www.shrimadrajchandramission.org/mission/structure/activities-598.htm
and elaborated elsewhere at its official website]

How is this mission being transplanted and adapted in America?
They are understanding religion and it’s been helping them out. Yes, it’s the same teaching in both India and the US. I’m in the US for one more week. I held a meditation retreat in Los Angeles also. The question is how to solve your problem, or rather dissolve your problem, through right understanding and meditation, by going within. I see so many negation emotions throughout and frustration, confusion, tension, and depression. The solution is meditation.

Do you find a different reception in the US?
No, I think people understand and they are very open to meditation. They already have moral values. So being spiritual is very easy for them. I don’t stress so much on the rituals and all, it’s more of meditation. So, it’s easy to take off.
Are you actively involved in interfaith dialogue?
We welcome saints and sages from all castes and religions. They visit the ashram and there is a beautiful bonding with Hindus, Buddhists, and those from the Islamic and Christian faiths. So we are very open to everyone.

What is your message to the younger generation in the US?
I always tell them that you have wings and you just need eyes. It’s not that you are wrong but [your wings] are use-less (i.e., “used less” and not useless)! And so if you have this vision, then it will contribute to your happiness and to the world. Even for the adults, only listening is not going to help. You have to first practice meditation and manufacture that peace and happiness within and then share it with everyone through service (sewa).

The live interview from which this transcript has been adapted is available at the Asian Media USA YouTube channel at Asian Media USA Gurudevshri is a spiritual visionary and a modern day mystic. Born on September 26, 1966 in Mumbai, he showed signs of his vocation at a young age. Shrimad Rajchandra Mission is a global movement with the Dharampur Ashram as its international headquarters. Its mission statement is “Realize one’s True Self and serve others selflessly.” Its primary purpose is to help seekers towards their goal of self-realization. The rapidly growing Mission now has 65 centers worldwide. For more information, visit the official website at http://www.shrimadrajchandramission.org/.