[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 183 (Tuesday, October 19, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1113-E1114]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   REMEMBERING AND HONORING SHRIMAD RAJCHANDRAJI DURING THE MONTH OF 
                                OCTOBER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 19, 2021

  Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to join the many 
devout followers of Jainism in honoring in the month of October the 
life of the remarkable Jain poet, scholar, religious leader, and 
philosopher Shrimad Rajchandraji, and to acknowledge his many writings, 
in particular his poetic spiritual masterpiece, Atmasiddhi Shastra.
  Born in 1867 in the Indian port city of Vavania, Rajchandraji was 
drawn to a religious life from an early age. His spiritual odyssey led 
him to Jainism and its core belief of ahimsa or non-violence (the 
ethical principal of not causing harm to other living beings). Shrimad 
Rajchandraji scaled great spiritual heights and demystified the path to 
self-discovery in an effortless manner relevant to the contemporary 
social environment. Even in a short life of 34 years, Rajchandraji gave 
the world a rich heritage that continues to guide generations of 
seekers. His life and works have been compiled and published in a 
volume titled Shrimad Rajchandra, the contents of which are an 
inspiration to turn within and discover life's eternal truths.
  In his early spiritual and philosophical writings Rajchandraji wrote 
about the importance of women's education and the practices that 
cultivate the essential mindset of non-attachment, and authored many 
commentaries on spirituality and Jain religious beliefs. Shrimad 
Rajchandraji was a visionary who laid the foundations of Jain 
spirituality for a new era. He composed Atmasiddhi Shastra in the late 
19th century to present the six spiritual truths and the path to self-
realisation. The poem is revered by many seekers as a masterpiece of 
spiritual enlightenment and guidance.
  In 1891, Rajchandraji was introduced to a young Indian lawyer named 
Mohandas Gandhi. This encounter led to a long friendship and mentorship 
between Rajchandraji and the future father of modern India. In his 
autobiography, Gandhi paid homage to his spiritual mentor by noting 
that ``[i]n my moments of spiritual crisis, Shrimadji was my refuge.''
  Madam Speaker, I also take this opportunity to commend Pujya 
Gurudevshri Rakeshji, spiritual visionary and global humanitarian 
leader, who has devoted his life to sharing the wisdom of Shrimad 
Rajchandraji through the work of the Shrimad Rajchandra Mission 
Dharampur. Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji's impact in fostering peace and 
serving society, aligned with Rajchandraji's philosophy, has been 
recognised by various prestigious forums and contemporary spiritual 
leaders globally.
  Madam Speaker, I want to recognize Shrimad Rajchandraji's teachings 
on the importance of nonviolence, truth, and peace, which are as 
relevant today as they were to Mahatma Gandhi over a century ago, and 
the guidance and comfort provided to his devotees by the epic 
masterpiece, Atmasiddhi Shastra.

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