Veerayatan Volunteering Programme
This programme has been initiated with the aim of connecting the youth of today to the thinking and ethos underpinning the work of Veerayatan. To date we have organised three volunteer programmes, each being of 2-week duration for youths aged 15-22 years. These programmes have taken place in Bihar and Kutch and Palitana and over 60 volunteers have participated.
Highlights
- Connecting with socially deprived children through play.
- Teaching English, Maths and General Knowledge to children.
- Making children aware of public health and hygiene issues such as cleaning teeth properly and washing hands appropriately and testing children’s eyes and identifying those requiring glasses.
- Working in the eye hospital and the dental unit in Rajgir, caring for patients.
- Making friendships and understanding the way of life of the local people.
Life changing experience for one student: ‘I now understand the incredible vision of Pujya Tai Ma. As we were driving to Bodhgaya, amidst the beautiful surroundings, there were these small villages just made from mud. I saw a grandfather and a little boy and I thought to myself that this little child’s life will be no different from the life of his grandfather. And this is when I really understood the vision of Pujya Tai Ma in changing this vicious cycle. Until now I had heard about the great work of Pujya Tai Ma but today her work has impacted me…’
Spiritual classes
‘Knowledge is extremely important. It is only through increasing our knowledge that one canattain contentment, achieve stillness of mind, find clarity on one’s goal in life anddiscriminate between right and wrong.’
(Pujya Tai Ma)
Spiritual study sessions using modern online technology are accessible to all. Pujya Tai Ma as well as other Sadhvis have conducted these classes with participants from Kenya, UK, USA and India. These sessions are important in laying a strong foundation to allow us to meditate and experience the fruits of this knowledge. Here are the links to these teaching sessions.
To join in the current spiritual classes, please contact:
Rita Shah
Email: ritashah01@gmail.com
Tel no: +44 7837811251
Acharanga Sutra:
Pujya Tai Ma beautifully explains Acharang Sutra, the first and foremost of 11 Jain Agams (scriptures), which are the original words of Lord Mahavir. Bhagwan’s wisdom and compassion will touch your heart and soul and awaken you to the new ways of practical living and teach us to live a life of self-reliance, courage and help us find the balance between worldly life and Moksha. Your soul will rejoice in Bhagwan’s presence in every single verse as he compassionately invites us to walk with him in search of eternal joy.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?app=desktop&list=PLttI7h5kbs_XS0gigWIXOHDNNYugjvRbO
Sutrakrutanga sutra:
The second of the 11 agams (scriptures) are explained by Pujya Tai Ma.
https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLttI7h5kbs_VYja0LQAzmBgfG7ZnXN258
Sattveshu Maitrim:
Sattveshu Maitrim, a samayik sutra composed by Acharya Amitgati, is a short pratikraman explained eloquently by Upadhyaya Sadhvi Shri Yashaji.
https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLttI7h5kbs_WnZMHyN8KI-5LOzCiA_hng
Mahavirashtak stotra:
A beautiful Sanskrit prayer explained beautifully by Upadhyaya Sadhvi Shri Yashaji including learning the recitation of the prayer.
https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLttI7h5kbs_VsWf0VkjKrdfHXnDFhL2fR
Tattvartha sutra:
Tattvartha Sutra containing the entire Jain philosophy is explained clearly and succinctly by Sadhvi Shri Sadhanaji.
https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLttI7h5kbs_WV5fuW2q9rk7GyL5wjHpys
Adhyatma Pravachan:
Adhyatma Pravachan, a profound text by Pujya Gurudev Amar Muniji Maharaj, explained by Upadhyaya Sadhvi Shri Yashaji.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?app=desktop&list=PLttI7h5kbs_VGt_GfHjCSqL7yP6drnXqR
Jain history:
Jain history explained beautifully by Upadhyaya Sadhvi Shri Yashaji.
https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLttI7h5kbs_VHsKnVb5qsy01AYfZcLXOG
14 Gunasthana:
Upadhyaya Sadhvi Shri Yashaji explains clearly the 14 steps (gunasthana) to liberation.
https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLttI7h5kbs_XFlIhH-F2unvJrO1fXD5rE
Karma Theory:
Karma theory, the crux of Jain philosophy explained vividly by Upadhyaya Sadhvi Shri Yashaji.
https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLttI7h5kbs_VfxoRcL-RHVhTolkmbvHza
Uttaradhyayan Sutra chapter 29:
The study session with Upadhyaya Sadhvi Shri Yashaji is based on Chapter 29 of Uttaradhyayan Sutra, the final sermon of Bhagwan Mahavir. In Chapter 29, Bhagwan Mahavir answers many questions posed to him by Gautam Swami on the benefits of faith, samayik, pratikraman, swadhyaya, forgiveness, discipline etc.
https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLttI7h5kbs_UaNWVxNv94q7pUbLFmc3gh
Sukti Triveni Series:
The study session with Upadhyaya Sadhvi Shri Yashaji, based on the text Sukti Triveni, centres on the teaching and discussion of the messages of Bhagwan Mahavir. Sukti Triveni is a text written by Pujya Gurudev Shri Amar Muniji Maharaj in which Gurudev has compiled verses from the various Jain, Vedic and Buddhist scriptures. Yashaji Maharaj eloquently explains each verse and then expands on these giving examples and reciting stories.
Uttaradhyayan sutra:
https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLttI7h5kbs_X4cxnyqtlZGfQN3rRPxu5-
Prashanavyakaran sutra:
https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLttI7h5kbs_Vqm3Rxc-mIJ6L40sowrJvM
Dashvaikalik sutra:
https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLttI7h5kbs_UJm8230aDNV5NEKP_rrbKy
Sthananga sutra:
https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLttI7h5kbs_VUPja1N3VNCnK8mlxII32Q
Bhagawati Sutra:
https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLttI7h5kbs_XyO_uUUaXQruE3hgXer0cp
Paryushan with Pujya Tai Ma: 2021
The current unprecedented times has brought with it many challenges but, whatever the circumstances, the beautiful Jain festival of forgiveness, Paryushan, is always the focal point for spiritual reflection and progress for Jains. This year has been no different and we were all fortunate to have the opportunity to celebrate Paryushan in the divine presence of Pujya Tai Ma. To learn from PujyaTai Ma and the sadhvi sangha of Veerayatan is undoubtedly a splendid and valuable occasion.
This year Upadhyaya Yashaji Maharaj lead the beautiful meditations each day, initially focussing on the gross and then on the subtle body, speech and mind, and then moving onto our inner beauty, our reality, our soul. The importance of meditation in bringing detachment, even whilst creating friendships and extending a helping hand to all, was explained wonderfully by Pujya Tai Ma.
Pujya Tai Ma, in the morning lectures, spoke about her total surrender to Bhagwan Mahavir, so much so that she wishes she was there to protect Bhagwan in his times of difficulty. Pujya Tai Ma revealed that it is this which provides her with the motivation and drive which we have all observed for decades to extend a helping hand to all she comes in contact with and beyond!
To listen to Pujya Tai Ma and the Sadhvi Sangh’s thoughts on how to progress on the spiritual path and address the challenges we must overcome, you can listen to the talks delivered as part of the Paryushan Mahaparva 2021 program:
“Paryushan neither belongs to nor is related to any one individual or religion. Two things are important in Bhagwan Mahavir’s teachings: the first is protection of the environment and for that you have to accept maitri (friendliness). Only when you become a friend can you protect something or someone; Paryushan Parva is also called Maitri Parva. The second most important teaching is Parasparopagraho Jivanam—you need earth, water, air, plants and animals for your survival; you make use of everything that nature offers. But you have to remember, just like you take, you should also give back to the earth,” says Acharya Chandanashriji.
Flag changing ceremony at Parshva Jinalay 2022
It has been 5 years since the magnificent opening of the Parshva Jinalay, a beautiful and serene place of worship within the peaceful setting of the Rajgir campus. The Parshva Jinalay is an abode for not only paying respect to God but also for both young and old to learn the Jain prayers and recite these with amazing feeling every single day, both morning and evening and show our deepest reverence to Parshvanath Bhagwan, Mahavir Bhagwan, and Rishabhadev Bhagwan.
Each year, a special flag (dhaja) changing ceremony takes place and this year was no exception, with the auspicious ceremony being carried out by Shrimati Shobhaji Rasiklal Dhariwal and Jhanvi Dhariwal Balan.
Glimpses of Flagchanging ceremony in 2021
Deepawali programme 2021
Deepawali is Bhagwan Mahavir’s nirvana day, a very auspicious time for Jains, a day filled with mixed emotions. Joyous because Bhagwan Mahavir achieved the ultimate and he showed us this beautiful path. Before his nirvana, he was in Pawapuri where he spoke to millions continuously for 48 hours which discourse is compiled as the Uttaradhyayan Sutra. In this series of talks, Pujya Tai Ma beautifully explains all the verses from Uttaradhyayan Sutra.
To listen: https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLttI7h5kbs_VAtu2PXBIeOhx4cCzN2PnX
New Year’s Day, the day after Deepawali day is celebrated by Jains as Gautam Swami, the first disciple of Bhagwan Mahavir attains enlightenment (kevalgyan). Pujya Tai Ma talks about the life of Gautam Swami:
Gyan Panchamifestival which takes place 5 days afterDeepawaliisexplainedbeautifully by Pujya Tai Ma:Gyan Panchami.
Pujya Tai Ma’s Birthday Celebrations 2022
It was Pujya Tai Ma’s 86th birthday on 26thJanuary 2022, India’s Republic day. The virtual program, wonderfully compered by Sadhvi Shri Shilapiji, was graced by renowned dignitaries, friends and disciples. All the dignitaries highlighted not only the work of Pujya Tai Ma but they also spoke of the unwavering resolve of Pujya Tai Ma, so strong that no dacoits, unruly environment, unfamiliar lands of Bihar and Kutch, struggles and impediments stirred this resolve even slightly. And they also mentioned how Pujya Tai Ma has moved forward only with friendship, love and compassion, regardless of race, caste, creed or religion.
One of the dignitaries, Brijesh Singh, Managing Editor from News 18 also applauded Pujya Tai Ma, the first Acharya of Jain society and the first Padma Shri recipient of Jain community, and taking Diksha at the age of just 14 years of age. He stated, ‘In the 1940’s and 1950’s, when women were not even allowed to leave the house, at that time you (Pujya Tai Ma) took initiation and started the work of service. In the 1970’s, when you would have been only 35years old, it was not easy to work in Bihar, where there was an atmosphere of unrest and violence, doing the work of goodwill service at that time is commendable.’ To watch and listen to all the speeches of the dignitaries:
Glimpses of the 85th Birthday Celebrations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuARHn8DNsA
Glimpses of the 84thBirthday Celebrations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPaSXO_Crpw
Eye camps on Pujya Tai Ma’s Birthday
Every year Pujya Tai Ma’s birthday iscelebrated in Rajgir by establishing eye campsat NetraJyoti Seva Mandiram.Over the years several tens of thousands of patients have been treatedin these eye camps which are free of any cost. The patients are indebted to Pujya Tai Ma andthe Veerayatan team for transforming their lives. Patients stay overnight at Netra Jyoti SevaMandiram and are provided with all the meals. The next day they leave with a big smile andwith presents given by Pujya Tai Ma which include a blanket, some kitchen utensils and anoutfit for men and a sari for women.