The Dignity of Veerayatan Is No Less Than That of Any Large Institution

– by Dr. Abhay Firodia

Tai Maharaj's energy, her memory, her wisdom, her understanding of the Jain tradition, and her grasp of the path shown by the Tirthankaras enabled her to accomplish extraordinary work. She had the ability to give a new direction to Jain thought. It would not be an exaggeration to say that after the Tirthankaras, such a significant transformation in the Jain tradition has rarely been seen as it was during Tai Maharaj's lifetime.

Over the past two years, whenever Tai Maharaj was in residence here, I met her regularly, often every Sunday. During our conversations, one question remained in my mind: What direction should Veerayatan take in the future?

Tai Ma founded Veerayatan. She gave it a vision, a mission, and prestige that very few institutions in the world possess. Although Veerayatan is not a large organisation in terms of size, its stature is equal to that of any major institution.

This was one of Tai Maharaj's greatest achievements. She built it through her own effort, ideas, and dedication. The question naturally arises: What will happen to Veerayatan after Tai Maharaj?

This is not an easy question. Any work ultimately proceeds through individuals. Therefore, we must think carefully about how this work will continue. Tai Maharaj had a few dreams. The first was that Veerayatan should become an enduring institution whose existence is independent of any one individual. Institutions can survive beyond people; they should not disappear when a person is gone.

For that reason, a strong system and working structure must be established. We must continue to advance in the direction she envisioned.

Many people mistakenly thought that when Tai Maharaj said, “Where there is a temple, there should also be a school,” she merely wanted schools near temples. That was not her intention. Her aim was to bring the values of the Jain tradition and the teachings of the Tirthankaras to the younger generation, including those born outside traditional Jain environments and even those with little exposure to Jain values.

Through Veerayatan's work in service, education, spiritual practice, and compassion, these ideals should reach everyone.

Tai Maharaj often explained that compassion does not simply mean feeling sad when seeing someone else's suffering. Compassion means developing the ability to feel another person's pain as your own and making sincere efforts to reduce that suffering.

Pain takes many forms - physical, mental, emotional, or financial. Whatever form it takes, we should cultivate the ability to help remove it. That is why she envisioned not only temples but also schools and institutions that serve society.

The ideas she taught us through Veerayatan must now be spread further. We need to create a blueprint for the future. Shanti Bhai called this “Veerayatan 2.0.” Veerayatan 1.0 was the form it took under Tai Maharaj's leadership from the time she began her work of service, education, and spiritual practice in Bihar. Now we must determine how to expand it further.

Tai Maharaj gave Jain tradition a new expression and a new way of thinking. She preserved what was valuable in the tradition and removed what had become restrictive or outdated.

I have spoken with many senior Acharyas about this. If what Tai Maharaj did was right and justified, then why should others not do the same? Many people tell me, “Yes, it should be done, but we do not have the courage.” Tai Maharaj had that courage.

Today there are thousands of sadhvis (nuns) in India belonging to different traditions. Tradition itself is not Jain Dharma; it is a means of bringing Jain Dharma to people and helping them understand it. We should create a broad platform that attracts people and allows Jain values to reach society more effectively.

We must make this platform larger and scale it up.

A small example comes from the famous Chitale family of Pune, known for their sweets such as shrikhand and bhakarwadi. They once had only a single shop in Pune. Today they operate dozens of outlets. The newer generations - the sons and grandsons of Mr. Chitale - understood that a successful business model from fifty years ago must evolve to remain successful fifty years later. To achieve that, they built capable systems, infrastructure, skilled people, and effective operating procedures.

Today, Chitale products are even available through home delivery. This is a major transformation. Similarly, if Veerayatan wishes to grow, it too must evolve. Tai Maharaj clearly stated: “Where there is a temple, there should be a school.” We must not let go of that vision. We must hold firmly to it because that is the path of growth. Therefore, we need capable sadhvis (nuns) and committed people who can stand with Veerayatan and help carry its mission forward.

One challenge within Veerayatan is that it functions as a society whose members have voting rights. However, the sadhvis who dedicate their entire lives to Veerayatan do not have voting rights because they are not formal members of the society. We must consider appropriate legal and organisational arrangements that will enable Veerayatan to move forward while remaining aligned with its values and serving society effectively.

Shilapiji Maharaj once asked me, “What comes next?” My answer was that Veerayatan is already a very strong and scalable organisation. Discussions about its future have begun. We should engage with thoughtful people, supporters, experts, and well-wishers, consult widely, and arrive at decisions through consensus for the welfare and happiness of all. Only then will we be able to build a sustainable institutional framework for the future.

Upadhyay Shri Amarmuniji Maharaj had a profound influence on the Jain community. Even in his later years, he embraced the changes introduced through Veerayatan. Tai Maharaj accepted change, the community of sadhvis accepted change, and we devotees also welcomed those changes because we could see that Veerayatan was moving in the right direction.

For us, values are more important than outward appearances. Therefore, we should continue reflecting on these issues and move forward with confidence. My request to the entire community of sadhvis and all followers of Veerayatan is to remain patient. Tai Maharaj may no longer be physically present among us, but her ideas remain with us. Those of us gathered here today, and all those who support this mission, embody her thoughts and vision.

We can elevate her ideals and carry them forward. For that, we must work hard and remain flexible. Bhagwan Mahavir taught the principle of Syadvada (the doctrine of multiple perspectives). It is therefore important not to become rigid in our thinking. No individual is so great that their ideas should be imposed on others. Imposing ideas is a form of intellectual authoritarianism. Instead, while remaining rooted in Jain traditions and values, we must strengthen our institution through cooperation and collective effort.

I am pleased that all the sadhvis have spoken with one voice and expressed their commitment to continue in this direction, to stay united, and to expand this vision. There can be no greater tribute than that.

The tribute we offer Tai Maharaj is not merely through words. The true tribute is to carry her work forward. If we do that with dedication, it will be a source of immense happiness. Looking at all the sadhvis and devotees gathered here, I feel a strong sense of unity and shared purpose.

I am confident that with the blessings of Tai Maharaj and Gurudev Amar Muniji Maharaj, we will be shown the right path, we will see that path clearly, and we will receive the strength to walk upon it.