INSPIRATION
Acharyashri Chandanaji – My Tribute to a Living Legend Dilip V. Shah, Philadelphia
We were all delighted to hear the announcement of Acharya Shri Chandanaji, fondly called Tai Ma, receiving Padmashri on 26th January 2022, a day of her 86th birthday. Traditionally, every January 26 over a thousand people would gather around Tai Ma wherever she may be - at Rajgir, Kutch, Palitana, or Nepal.
How did Achrya Shri Chandanaji’s Veeraytan in a remote part of Bihar become a global oasis for Jain values? How did an organization made up of a small group of Sadhvijis become a household word in hundreds of thousands of homes not just in India but globally? How did Acharyashri become Tai Ma? What was the turning point for the organization? The story below has answers to all these questions.
Twenty-one years ago, I was at Rajgir along with 125 other JAINA Yatris from the USA on our way to Shri Samed Shikharji. Our previous stop was Lachhuar – land of the three kalyanaks of Bhagwan Mahavir. Most of the yatris were saddened by the poor facilities at the only Dharmshala in Lachhuar. Even more disturbing was a visit to the local school requested by the principal of the school. Some of the yatris returned from the visit somber and sad. One yatri had tears in her eyes describing a dilapidated school building that was even missing a roof! Students were required to stand under the trees when it rained. Yatris decided
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that JAINA should build a school in Lachhuar Chayanbhoomi, Janmabhumi and Dikshabhumi of our Bhagwan. As a group leader, I assured the yatris that we shall discuss the subject further once we get to Veerayatan. Upon arriving at Veeraytan the yatri’s mood improved dramatically. Compared to Lachhuar, Veerayatan was a heavenly place. The rooms were clean, the food was wholesome, and our host - Acharyashriji was extremely gracious. At night, in a meeting with Acharyashriji, we asked her if JAINA were prepared to fund the building of a school in Lachhuar, can Veerayatan manage it? We had no idea how wide and open-ended our request was or the fact Veerayatan had never really worked outside of Rajgir or ever operated a school. But the answer was unambiguous. “Yes, if JAINA funds it, we will certainly run it”. We thanked Acharyashriji for her magnanimity and called it a night being tired after a 16-hour day including road journey from Lachuar. We were told to assemble bright and early next morning after breakfast for the flag hoisting ceremony. The next day, January 26, was designated as that of dual celebration – marking Republic Day and the Sixty-fifth birthday of Acharya Shri Chandanaji. The weather was cooperating, offering up a cool sunny day and a light breeze. There was an air of anticipation for the festivities to begin. The plan was for everyone to assemble at 10 in the morning in the courtyard around the flagpole. A marching band consisting of nearby school students in their cute and crisp uniform was on hand for the hoisting of the Tiranga by Acharya Shriji. After the solemn flagraising ceremony, there was going to be a brief celebration of her birthday with some singing and speeches. Next, everyone was going to be treated to a royal feast. And a week later, Acharyashriji was to go to Rajkot to grant Diksha to a local lady. On the morning of January 26, everyone was in position at 10:30; except Acharyashriji was nowhere to be seen. There was an unexplained delay, and some grumbling was afoot. Finally, around 11:30 Acharyashriji entered the crowd solemnly and swiftly proceeded to raise the flag. Next, she took the microphone and in an exceptionally soft trembling voice made the shocking announcement. A massive earthquake had hit Bhuj, Kutch a couple of hours earlier and mass casualties were feared. The festive mood became a somber tone. No further details were available of the conditions in Kutch as Rajgir did not