image source, RUPESH SONAWEN
Dewanchi Sangvee was born to a rich family.
Dewanchi Sangwee, 8, should have grown up on a pile of gold. and become the owner of a diamond business worth hundreds of millions of baht
But the daughter of a rich Indian diamond merchant Instead, she chose a life full of restrictions and discipline. Dressed in a white saree walking barefoot going through people’s houses to ask for alms
That is because last week, Ms Tewanchi, the eldest daughter of Thanet and Amee Sangwee, owner of a large diamond trading business. has announced to the world to enter the path of virtue through ordination
The Sankhvi nuns are one of the 4.5 million followers of Jainism, Jainism is one of the world’s oldest major religions. Originated in India more than 2,500 years ago.
Religious scholars state that the number of secular Jainism has increased in recent years. But in the case of an 8-year-old girl like Devanchi who was ordained a nun it is considered that it happens rarely
During an ordination ceremony last Wednesday (18 January 2022) in Surat in the western state of Gujarat, Sankhvi said the ‘Diksha’ or worldly declaration of renunciation. in front of several Jain high priests and tens of thousands of people attending the ceremony
Sangwee’s parents also attended the ceremony. by walking alongside a girl lightly dressed in cotton Adorned with many jewels on his head, crowned with diamonds of high value.
At the end of the ceremony, Ms. Sangwee standing alongside other nuns dressed head to toe in white saris. hiding the shaved head in the hands of a little nun She carries a broom to keep bugs out of her way so she doesn’t accidentally step on them.
image source, RUPESH SONAWEN
Devanchi and her parents who are famous diamond merchant
since the ceremony Sankhvi nuns live in the Upachaya Monastery where Jain monks and nuns live.
“She can no longer live at home, her parents are no longer her parents. She is a Sangwee nun now,” said Kirati Shah, a jeweler in Surat. who is friends with the Sangwee family and is also a local politician under the Bharatiya Chanata Party, he said
“The life of a very holy Jain nun From now on, she had to walk all the time. Unable to get on any vehicle. She would lie on a white sheet on the floor. and unable to eat after sunset,” he added.
Sankhvi nuns are members of a Jain sect that allows children to be ordained. While the other three sects only allow adults to become priests and nuns.
The nuns’ parents are known in the community as “Very Religious” according to Indian media reports. Quoting Sangwee’s family friends, Ms. Sangwee “nurtured her into the world of spirits since she was a baby.”
“Devanchi never watches TV. Never been to the cinema Never been to a department store and restaurants,” reported the Times of India.
“Since childhood, Devanchi prays 3 times a day and has been fasting since the age of 2.”
One day before the ordination ceremony her family held a celebration. and a big procession in Surat
Thousands of people watched the processions of camels, horses, bullock carts, drum bands and bands of turbaned men. Huge scaffolding on the streets surrounded by dancers and performers creating a wonderful atmosphere
Miss Dewanshi (now a nun) and her parents sitting on a large scaffold Pulled by an elephant Wherever you walk The crowd will scatter white rose petals along the way.
Not only in Surat But the celebrations are still held in Mumbai. and the city of Antwerp in Belgium where the Sangwee family has a business.
Although the Jain community supports the ordination of women But Miss Sangwee’s ordination caused controversy in the society. Some people were asking. Why didn’t her family wait for her to grow up first? in order to be able to decide their own life path
image source, RUPESH SONAWEN
grand parade One day before Dewanji’s ordination ceremony
Shah was invited to attend the Diksha ceremony but opted out Because he felt bad about ordination of children, he insisted that “no religion should allow children to be ordained.”
“She’s just a child. How well did she understand what was going on?” he inquired. They can’t even decide what field to study at university until they are 16, and then they make a decision like this. How will it affect their whole lives?”
For young children who have already announced that the world elevates the status of a holy person until the community comes out to celebrate She may see it as a party. But for Professor Nilima Mehta, a child protection consultant in Mumbai, “children will face extreme hardship and deprivation”.
“Life as a Jain nun was very difficult,” she said.
People in the neighborhood where Sangwee’s family lives also express concern because girls have to stay away from their parents. Even at a young age
And when this news spread in the online social world the people of the Sangwee family criticized it as violating children’s rights
Shah said the Indian government should intervene. and the practice of giving children away from the world and ordained as a monk or nun from a young age
image source, Getty Images
Nun Sangwee dressed in a white sari She had to walk barefoot. charity in the house
The BBC’s news team in India said the chances of government intervention were slim. The news team contacted the office of Mr Priyang Kanungo, the chairman of the Commission for the Protection of Children’s Rights. to inquire about the government’s stance on this matter But the office replied that it did not want to comment on the matter because “It is a sensitive matter.”
Activists say Dewanchee’s rights have been violated.
Professor Mehta pointed out that if anyone says that a child also chooses to become a monk, In fact, in this case, “the consent of a minor is not considered legal.”
“By law individuals must be at least 18 years old to make their own decisions. until that time Parents have the right to decide for their children and What is best for them?”
“But if that decision deprives children of access to education and leisure It is considered a violation of their rights.”
But as Dr. Bipin Doshi, a professor of Jainism at the University of Mumbai, explains, “You cannot apply legal principles to the spiritual world.”
image source, RUPESH SONAWEN
The media reported that Sankhavi prayed three times a day and started fasting at the age of two.
“Some people said. Children are not mature enough to make decisions. But there was a child with superior intelligence. and can do more than adults even at a young age. In the same case, there are children who are very enthusiastic about spirituality. And what’s wrong with being ordained?” he asked back.
Not only that, Dr Doshi insists that the Dewanshi nuns are not in any danger.
“It is possible that she will be banned from having access to entertainment. But those entertainment Is it a necessity for everyone? I don’t believe She will have a life deprived of love and education. because you will receive love from teachers Having learned about honesty and neglecting the world Isn’t that a better life?”
Dr Doshi added that Dewanshi could change her mind later if she thought she had made a “wrong decision” and could return to the world.
But Professor Mehta asked back, why didn’t she wait for her to become an adult? then decide
“The minds of youth change according to the influence they receive. In a few years, she might think this is not the life she wants,” she said, adding that there are cases where women change their minds about taking another life path as they get older.
Professor Mehta said that a few years ago she was asked to look after a young Jain nun who had run away from the monastery. Because she is mentally traumatized.
Another girl who chose to leave the world She was ordained a nun at the age of 9, causing a scandal in society in 2009 because at the age of 21 she ran away to marry her lover.
“Young people suffer in every religion in the world. But challenging them is considered blasphemy,” he said. Family and society should be taught that “Children do not belong to their parents,” but life chooses their own path.
