Bhavesh Bhandari and his wife Jinal Bhandari, from India, have swapped their ‘lavish life’ for simplicity and a humble way of life – they will dedicate themselves to monkhood
A multi-million couple have ditched their luxury lifestyle in a bid to pledge themselves to monkhood – and will have to rely on the kindness of others to survive.
Bhavesh Bhandari and his wife Jinal Bhandari, from India, have given up their £19million fortune so they can become monks. The pair said they were certain of their decision and claim they are ready to “walk on the path of renunciation and salvation.” Mr Bhandari explained they were inspired by their children to make the step and announced they are both happily Jain monks.
The modest couple admitted they have enjoyed a “lavish life” but said they want to make the change. As part of their new life, they will only eat when food is handed to them by charitable sources. Earlier this month, they began their new path and sacrificed all of their belongings at a procession in Sabarkantha.
During the event, they sat on a chariot as they hurled items into a huge crowd. Mr Bhandari, who previously worked in real estate, 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.”
After their initiation next week they will all be known as mumukshus – people who are focused on attaining liberation, seeking knowledge and learning truths. The lifestyle sees followers walking barefoot across the country and surviving solely on charitable donations. They have polite and non-violent beliefs and follow strict daily guidelines aimed at self-purification, reports The Sun.
The couple’s two children, 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 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.” The Jain couple will take the pledge with 33 others from the community at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad on April 22 at an elaborate diksha ceremony. Among the 35 mumukshus, who will renounce all worldly pleasures to seek liberation, 10 are below 18.
