Young Jains choose the path of spiritualism

The Jain religion, known for its principles of truth and non-violence, often leads people from the community to renounce worldly desires in an act called 'diksha', and live as monks for the spiritual betterment of the society.

In April, a Jain businessman, Bhavesh Bhandari, and his wife, from Gujarat's Sabarkantha, donated their wealth of Rs200 crore, following the footsteps of their 19year-old daughter and 16year-old son. In Mumbai, at around the same time, nineyear-old Saiyam Shah and his parents, Jigar and Kiran, from Dombivali, took their diksha. Of late, the idea has captured the imagination of youngsters who are now increasingly gravitating towards spiritual liberation.

The Free Press Journal contacted Bipin Doshi, resource person for Jain studies at the University of Mumbai, to better understand the phenomenon. Doshi stated that there has been an increase in the number of young diksharthis in the past 10 years.