Chitrabhanu and Pramodaben to Get Claremont Ahimsa Award

Chitrabhanu & Pramodaben to Get Claremont Ahimsa Award – link
From India Journal by a staff reporter,
Claremont, CA

Claremont Lincoln University‘s first annual Ahimsa Award will go to Gurudev Chitrabhanuji and Pramodaben Chitrabhanu. The couple will receive the award at a celebration on October 1 (2013), International Ahimsa Day.

In 2007, the United Nations established October 2 as an International Day of Non-Violence in honor of the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. To honor this important celebration, Claremont Lincoln University has instituted an annual Ahimsa Award, given to the person who their Selection Committee feels most embodies the principle of Ahimsa.

Because of the Chitrabhanu’s synergistic, outstanding, and long collaboration in furthering Ahimsa, which is a cornerstone of Jain beliefs, the Committee decided to award them as a couple.

“All of us in the Claremont Lincoln community take great joy at the selection of these two saintly individuals,” said Dr. Philip Clayton, Claremont Lincoln University Provost and Executive Vice President. “The news will not only be welcomed by the international Jain community, but also by the friends of Ahimsa in whatever tradition they may practice.”

Chitrabhanu is the author of more than 20 books, which reflect his philosophy of world peace and nonviolence, emphasizing the need to appreciate the sanctity of all life and to build solidarity in the larger family of humankind.

He gave up his vow of monkhood because of the call to bring Ahimsa principles to the West. He married Pramodaben and together they embarked on a mission to bring the message and teaching of Bhagwan Mahaveer – Ahimsa to the west.

Pramodaben, spiritual companion of Gurudev Chitrabhanu, is Director of the Jain Meditation International Center in New York, Director of PETA India, and advisor to the Jivadaya Committee of JAINA. A global leader, Pramodaji’s mission takes her to many parts of the world. She connects particularly well with the youth because her approach is secular and multi-cultural.