Grow like a Tree

Listen to the wisdom of this message as imparted by Acharyashriji. If the values exemplified by a tree can become inherent in you, you too can bestow beauty, happiness and peace to the world.

Mere Devdoot (My Angels)

‘Mere Devdoot’, Acharyashriji’s book of short stories describing people and experiences which have shaped her journey contains this narrative of her experience as a child demonstrating her lifelong desire to give selflessly and how the conduct of her teachers taught her that there is an appropriate time, place and manner when raising any matter.

Click here to read the full story from this riveting book…

Recognition of Acharya Shri Chandanaji by the State of New York

During Acharyashiji’s recent visit to grace the Jaina Convention in Los Angeles, she was given two accolades in recognition of her deep compassion and amazing humanitarian work. At a special gathering at the Consulate General of India in New York in July 2019 Jaipur Foot US felicitated Acharyashriji with a Lifetime Award to reflect her unmatched, unique, incomparable contribution in society irrespective of caste and community. Upon the occasion of this award, New York State Senator Anna M Kaplan issued, on behalf of the State of New York, a Proclamation signed and dated 11 July 2019 in which she commended Acharyashriji and declared publicly that in Acharayshriji ‘we have an individual worthy of our highest respect and esteem’ and that such public proclamation is for the ‘edification and emulation of others’.

Veerayatan Bihar

Paryushan with Acharyashriji –
An Invitation

A golden opportunity to celebrate Paryushan Mahaparva in the presence of Acharyashriji. A time to thoughtfully introspect, take active steps to forgive and forget and in the process rejuvenate oneself. We extend you the warmest of invitations to come and spend as much time as possible in Rajgir to listen, comprehend, contemplate and share your experience both during this festival and thereafter in the divine presence of Acharyashriji, who will be residing in Rajgir this monsoon season.

Acharyashriji's message on day 1 of Paryushan

Spreading the Message of Tirthankar Mahavir

With the blessings of Acharyashriji, Sadhvi Sampragyaji has been working tirelessly to visit all the nearby villages to Rajgir to talk to the local communities of the importance of a vegetarian diet, staying away from alcohol and stopping the abuse of women and children. At the same time as clearly and fearlessly communicating these important messages of Tirthankar Mahavir to these communities, Sadhvi Sampragyaji has also been speaking to those she encounters so as to better understand their needs and establish how Veerayatan, which has been established and undertaking humanitarian work for nearly half a century in Bihar, can further support those in these communities to live a well-intentioned and constructive life which will be for the benefit of all.

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Tirthankar Mahavir Vidya Mandir, Lachhuar

The children and teachers of Tirthankar Mahavir Vidya Mandir, Lachhuar have made a resolve to save and protect the environment. Inspired by the conduct and beliefs of Acharyashriji, and motivated by the encouragement given by a member of the Indian Police Force who was visiting the school, the children and staff have pledged to implement an 11 point plan to look after our precious environment and its bounty and resources. These include:

I will plant a tree and care for at least one plant every year
I will not use more water than is necessary and will close the tap after use
I will only use energy and power when necessary and will switch off electricity when not needed
I will keep our home, school and neighbourhood clean and not dump rubbish
I will stop using plastic and use cloth and paper bags instead and will also encourage others to do so
I will feed as often as possible hungry animals
I will use toilet facilities and promote hygiene

Veerayatan Kutch

A tremendous variety of good work and innovation continues to be undertaken at the Veerayatan Kutch Campus. Latest initiatives at Kutch include:

Campus wide celebration of Friendship Day by the students to show that we should respect for all life forms, with over 400 trees being planted to show love and appreciation of Nature.
Technical brilliance from the students of Veerayatan Institute of Engineering who have been awarded a grant by the Department of Gujarat Technological University to develop an idea conceived by the students of using a robot to assist in the work of the India Army.
The students of Veerayatan Institute of Engineering organizing an intercollegiate event to spread awareness among the students about scarcity of water and techniques of water conservation, thus furthering Veerayatan-Kutch’s long-standing commitment in contributing to this cause.
Veerayatan, Kutch in association with AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) organized a three day Faculty Development Programme in which all the Technical Institutes affiliated with AICTE in Kutch participated. In this Student Induction Programme the faculty members were trained to improve their skills so that various spheres of human values encompassing morality, human traits, and human endeavour can be delivered as part of the courses in the truest sense.

Students Contribution Towards Nations Security

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Veerayatan Palitana

Shri Adinath Netralay

On 26 January, 2019 Veerayatan inaugurated an ultra-modern, built to the highest international standards, eye care hospital. We are delighted to advise that out- patient clinics have already commenced as of June and the carrying out of eye operations will start very soon.

Veerayatan UK

Sadhvi Shri Shilapiji’s London Visit 2019

Sadhvi Shri Shilapiji’s latest annual visit to the UK took place between 10 and 20 July and was once again hugely energising, inspiring, and spiritually elevating for everyone. A variety of events took place including a series of evening public discourses, a weekend shibir for enhancing knowledge, a visit to meet the children of SCVP Jain School run by Veerayatan UK and early morning meditation sessions. To learn more about the powerful messages delivered by Pujya Sadhviji during this fruitful visit,

Read further...

Annual Forest Walks

For the 4th consecutive year SCVP with Young Jains (UK) have been hosting monthly Forest Walks from May to September giving walkers an opportunity to surround themselves with nature, appreciate its beauty and experience silence! Walkers ranging in age from 6 years to the 70s have been enjoying the walks. The latest walk was in Oxhey Woods Nature Reserve consisting of 100 hectares of ancient semi-natural woodland., attracting once again more than 50 walkers.

Annual Samayik

SCVP conducted its annual Samayik Programme on 21 June. The entire school, including children and adults, were involved in this blissful event which explored the life of Gautam Swami, Mahavir Bhagwan’s chief disciple. Children beautifully recited the stories of when Gautam Swami first met Mahavir Bhagwan, his encounter with Anand Shravak and the feeding of the hermits on Mount Astapad through his special powers and explained the powerful messages underpinning each story. The whole evening was both peaceful and serene, fostering an air of equanimity and calmness among all who were attending.

Pre-Paryushan Talk

On 18 August Sandipbhai Shah, a teacher at SCVP Jain School, in conjunction with Oshwal North West and Dr Mukulbhai Shah, delivered a talk on the meaning of Paryushan and Pratikraman. Many people have voiced the view that they do not understand the practice of Pratikraman. This talk was to help educate those who wish to understand this profound process and as a precursor to actively taking part in the Pratikraman in English which is delivered by SCVP Jain School teachers to allow more people to undertake this annual activity of thoughtful introspection.

Veerayatan USA

Acharyashriji attends JAINA Conference 2019

Acharyashriji, accompanied by Sadhvi Shilapiji and Sadhvi Sanghamitraji, attended the JAINA conference in Los Angeles, California in July 2019.

The theme of the conference was “Jain Religion in the 21st century’, highlighting Seva (Humanitarian Service), Satsang (Study of Jain Principles), Samarpan (Faith and Surrender), Sadhna (Spiritual Development) and Self-Realization. The message for all from Acharyashriji was to have friendship with the whole world and inculcate compassion in action (Seva). Sadhvi Shri Sanghamitraji talked about there being two types of people, givers and takers. It is fine to receive but also it is important to give unconditionally. She went on and stated that in giving, we receive a lot more - high self esteem, contentment, positive attitude, sense of accomplishment…..

Sadhvi Shri Shilapiji explained the true meaning of Seva and how it is a manifestation of the divinity within: ‘Our inner happiness and bliss become manifested as compassion, unconditional love and empathy, which we then share with others through selfless contribution for the betterment of humanity. This is Seva.’

To read more click here

Sadhvi Shri Shilapiji also gave the closing address in which she reflected upon the contribution of Jains to this world and in response to the concern of whether and how the younger generation can continue to maintain the Jain identity and legacy, her viewpoint was extremely positive.

Jay Jain amazed the attendees with his "Avadhan Gyan (Satavdhan),” a capacity to remember, in any order, 55 or so questions asked to him .

For more information on the various programmes organized during this time and the key messages of the closing speech,

JAINA Convention 2019 Shilapiji Maharaj’s Closing Address

Upcoming Events

Paryushan Mahaparva 2019

Veerayatan Sadhvijis have once again been humbly invited to grace Paryushan festivities and conduct discourses worldwide as follows:

Sadhvi Shri Shilapiji will be celebrating Paryushan in Kenya;
Sadhvi Shri Sampragyaji will be celebrating Paryushan in Muscat.

UK

Pratikraman in English during all 8 days of Paryushan (26 August to 2 September 2019). A novel way of delivering Pratikraman so that people from all ages really understand the essence and feel able to participate in this amazing ritual of forgiveness. The Pratikraman will be hosted by Oshwal North West and will be held at Harrow Leisure Centre for all 8 days. On Saturday 1 September and Sunday 2 September English Pratikraman will also be hosted by Oshwal North and on 30 August and 1 September by the Jain community in Manchester.
Shri Chandana Vidyapeeth, Jain School – New term begins in September!
The 2019/2020 academic year begins with the Autumn term commencing on Friday 13 September with all new and existing students invited to register. An exciting term of value-based learning for children lies ahead incorporating stories, songs, plays and arts and crafts to stimulate and engage the children. The adult class with look at the practice of equanimity and how to instill that into your daily life through a deeper understanding of that most enriching of practices, samayik.

For more information on all the above events, please contact:

Nilesh Kothari: nilesh.kothari@scvp.info; Tel: 07718580596