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A MULTI-MILLIONAIRE couple has decided to give up their entire lavish lifestyle and $24million fortune to become monks.
Bhavesh Bhandari and his wife Jinal Bhandari handed over their life savings and luxury possessions after being inspired by their kids to “walk on the path of renunciation and salvation”.
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TwitterThey are now set to become Jain monks where they will solely rely on the generosity of others to survive.
Jain monks are seen as some of the most gentle and non-violent people in India as they walk around barefoot with only a bowl, broom and two outfits with them.
The Bhandari family will also now only eat when food is given to them by charitable sources.
Known as a real estate guru in India, Mr Bhandari led a procession in Sabarkantha on Monday, 15, as the couple gave up all of their belongings including their phones and family air conditioners.
This was the first step towards their acceptance into the monkhood.
Footage shows the couple riding on a chariot full of flowers and wearing royal clothing as they launched items into a big crowd.
Hundreds of locals turned up to follow the wealthy pair on the four kilometre journey to try and collect some of their unwanted goods.
Mr Bhandari said: “I have decided to choose the right path for living, and for that I have selected monkhood.
“I have lived a lavish life and have not faced any difficulties… not even in my business. I am happy with the decision.”
They are expected to be fully part of the religious Jain monkhood on March 22, when they attend an elaborate diksha ceremony.
This will see the couple go through a one-to-one initiation ceremony with Jain leader Acharya Dev Vijay Yog Tilak Suriji Maharaj.
The pledge will be taken on the same day as 33 others from the community at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad, reports the Indian Express.
Ten of those becoming monks are under 18 years old.
After the initiation they will all be known as mumukshus – people who are focused on attaining liberation, seeking knowledge and learning truths.
The life of a Jain monk
The lifestyle of a Jain monk sees followers walking barefoot across the country and surviving solely on charitable donations from others.
It is believed that followers are allowed to own just two white outfits, a bowl to eat out of and a broom known as a “rajoharan”.
The rajoharan is used to sweep insects of surfaces when the monks are about to sit down.
It is a symbol of their polite and non-violent beliefs.
Their lives become detached from all social and typical activities as they follow strict guidelines on what to do each day.
All activities are aimed at self-purification in order for one to realise as much as possible about themselves.
They must also adhere to five basic vows during their monkhood.
Jain monks must typically be non-violent, cannot lie, cannot steal, be celibate and must own no personal possessions.
The idea behind the lack of material goods is so a person doesn’t get attached to things that aren’t needed.
To summarise, they take the vows by saying: “I will not commit the sins of violence, express falsehood, steal and enjoy sensual pleasures, or be possessive, by speech, thought or deed.
“Nor will I assist or order anyone to commit these sins. I will not approve or endorse anyone committing such sins.”
Other rules state they can’t eat when the sun is up, are not allowed to cook for themselves, can’t ever touch the opposite gender – including children.
The Bhandari family have been known to give back lots to their community in the past and regularly helped with diksha events in Gujarat.
The couple’s two daughters, 19 and 16, adopted monkhood back in 2022 after years of the family practising the spiritual teachings of Jain leader Acharya Dev Vijay Yog Tilak Suriji Maharaj.
According to the Bhandari family, they’ve all been following his teachings for a decade.
Mr Bhandari – a wealthy Ahmedabad businessman – had to choose between his children and his parents when he threw away his life’s work.
He told The Indian Express: “It was hard for me to convince my parents to give me the permission to take the pledge of monkhood.
“‘It is too early, take some more time,’ they told me. But I remained firm.”
Although the business that made them millions is still set to continue but now in the hands of Mr Bhandari’s father and oldest brother.
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