Rakesh Jhaveri

Rakesh Jhaveri (born 26 September, 1966), is an Indian spiritual leader, Jain scholar, author, and orator. Jhaveri follows the teachings of Shrimad Rajchandra and completed his doctoral studies on Shrimad's work: Atmasiddhi. Jhaveri founded The Shrimad Rajchandra Mission at Dharampur, which supports spiritual and social activities.

Early life and education On the 26th of September 1966, Jhaveri was born in Mumbai, India to Dilip and Rekha Jhaveri. His parents were followers of the Shwetambara Murtipujaka tradition and were influenced by monk, Sahaj Anandji (founder of The Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram at Hampi).

Jhaveri was inclined to spirituality since a young age. At the age of four, Jhaveri began contemplating Jain philosophy. The first time he encountered Shrimad Rajchandra was via a photograph, when a copy of The Shrimad Rajchandra Vachanamrit merely fell into his view. After this event, Jhaveri took a deep 72 hour mediation. In this state, jhaveri recounted experiencing jāti smaraṇa gnān (जाति स्मरण ज्ञान), or "the knowledge of past lives".

By 1978, an audience formed a satsang involving Jhaveri. In a short amount of time, his audience gave Jhaveri the Guru title; but he denied it, claiming inexperience. At first, Jhaveri was unsure about taking on a devotional life. Until, visiting his aunt in jaipur, where he recited the Namokar Mantra. This experience aided his final decision for his spiritual advancement. In 1983, Jhaveri left for Hampi despite his parents disagreement. During his stay in Hampi, Jhaveri was nominated to be the successor of Mataji Dhandeviji. Jhaveri sought his parents approval, which they agreed in the condition that he would go into studies. Following his parents approval, Jhaveri began studying religious texts, practicing Yoga, and learning Indian classical music. During 1985-1990, Jhanveri observed silence for up to 12 hours per day and traveled extensively. During this period, his audience grew to nearly five-hundred individuals.

In 1988, Jhaveri continued to his studies and completed a B. A. from Osmania University, Hyderabad. The NGO received a special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council in 2020 due to its projects that work towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

In November 2016, the Mission produced a play, Yugpurush: Mahatma na Mahatma depicting spiritual relationship between Shrimad Rajchandra and Mahatma Gandhi. The Mission opened a science college in Dharampur, Shrimad Rajchandra Vidyapeeth, the same month. In November 2017, the 34-feet tall statue of Shrimad Rajchandra was unveiled at the ashram. By January 2025, the Mission has 206 Satsang Centres, 96 Youth Centres and 252 Children Centres worldwide. In 2019, the Mission and the Sangeet Natak Akademi co-produced a play Bharat Bhagya Vidhata focused on how Mahatma Gandhi cultivated the values of truth and non-violence. The Mission gifted statue of Mahatma Gandhi to the city of Manchester to serve as a "symbol of love and compassion" following the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing. It was unveiled in November 2019. On April 25, 2021, Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital established a 150-bed COVID Care Centre in Dharampur during COVID-19 pandemic in India.

Influence Bauer notes that "[in] recent years there has been a convergence of the Kanji Swami Panth and the Shrimad Rajcandra movement, part of trend toward a more eucumenical and less sectarian Jainism among educated, mobile Jains living overseas." Kanji Panth is a school of Jainism, nominally belonging to the Śvetāmbara

Recognition In August 2023, the Claremont School of Theology conferred him with Honorary Doctor of Divinity (DD) for his significant contributions to the realm of spirituality and selfless service.