• Will spend a day in silence, prayers, spirituality to remind them to be humble and sobriety

HYDERABAD, India - 13 August 2010 - 1500 city Jain businessmen and professionals are to renounce daily comforts for a day on 15th August and lead a life of Jain monks declared 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 to give up all their personal comforts for a day on 15th August. Sporting monks attire, dhoti and all. They 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.

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.

I am looking forward to avatar of a monk says Manoj Kothari, Member - Greater Hyderabad Vardhaman Yuva Sanghatan. This gives me 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.

Living with monks in a temple for a day is a novel experience. But there is much to learn about monastic life, I am eagerly looking forward to have such an experience says Mr. Swaroopchand Kothari.

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.

We want our youngsters to awaken culturally. Know their culture and tradition. We need to inculcate these values in our modern day youngsters said Mr. Rajendra Kimti.