09.07.2017 ►Siddhayatan ►Saman Abhiroop's Diksha Ceremony + Pictures

One of the noblest and highest achievements in a lifetime is when a soul embarks on one of the purest paths, the path of monkhood. On July 9th, 2017, Miles O'Sullivan took Jain Saman Diksha into the Siddha Sangh Order under H. H. Acharya Shree Yogeesh at Siddhayatan Tirth (Dallas, Texas). It was a heartfelt and special day.

Miles O'Sullivan, at the early age of 22, received his calling to become a monk one day after thinking deeply about his life. He suddenly realized that there was nothing else in the world that he would rather do. He understood that this path would lead him to real freedom, bliss, and soul fulfillment.

He soon began to look for a real master, an enlightened one (Keval Jnani), one that could teach him a way to achieve freedom. He found Master Acharya Shree Yogeesh while browsing through YouTube videos, and he instantly felt connected to him and his teachings. As soon as he began to learn from him, he became vegetarian and followed the principle of Ahimsa, non-violence.

Miles was a professional underwater photographer where he had the opportunity to travel to Hawaii, California, Ecuador, and the Philippines to take incredible pictures of the ocean. Through the ocean, he had many wonderful experiences and deep realizations. It was a peaceful environment where he began to feel oneness with all living beings. He submerged himself into the depths of the ocean. Later the desire came to submerge himself into the depths of his soul.

Shortly after receiving his inner calling, Miles traveled to Siddhayatan Tirth & Spiritual Retreat in January 2012 to meet Acharya Shree in person and to seek his approval to become a trainee under his guidance. Acharya Shree accepted him into training one year later on April 13th, 2017 at which time Miles moved to the ashram to live, work, and train full-time.

While in training, Miles, then 23, began to practice intensive sadhana, yoga, meditation, pratikraman, and fasting. He studied Jain scriptures and the Hindi and Sanskrit languages. It was a little over four years, when Acharya Shree decided Miles was ready to take his lifelong vows and enter the challenging, yet rewarding monastic life.

The Diksha Samaroh (celebration) was particularly emotional. Miles' family travelled from California, South Carolina, and North Carolina. His parents, three siblings, and a brother-in-law accompanied him on this special day. They expressed contentment and satisfaction for Miles to join the Shramanic tradition. Other guests traveled from as far as Canada and nearby states to support Miles on his decision to become a monk.

It was a beautiful 2-day celebration, July 8th and 9th, 2017. The diksha events began with an evening of mehndi rasma, bhajans, and bhavana. The following day, the local Jain, Hindu, and Siddhayatan Spiritual community gathered at Siddhayatan Tirth to witness Miles' transformation. The program began with the entrance of Miles; it was the last time he would wear colored mundane clothing representing his transition into monkhood. His parents John and Sheryl O'Sullivan, who from the very beginning supported his dire desire to become a monk, proudly accompanied him. After taking a seat, the traditional Tilak ceremony began. The Tilak Ceremony is symbolic of Indian culture, love, activation of the third eye, and the community showing their support for his entrance into the monastic life. It also represents a “marriage to paramaatma" (God).

Everyone, including children, participated in the Tilak Ceremony. Shortly after the Tilak ceremony, the event proceeded with Pravachan from Acharya Shree, where he talked about the beautiful significance of Diksha, and followed by uplifting and inspiring Pravachans by Sadhvi Siddhali Shree and Sadhvi Anubhuti, where they shared spiritual messages and expressed Miles' journey.

Upon completion of the Tilak Ceremony, Acharya Shree announced it was time for the “Saman Vaish”, when the colored clothes are changed into simple white robes. This moment symbolizes renouncing the worldly lifestyle to lead a simple life through higher thinking. The white color represents non-violence, peace, and protection.

After changing into his long white robes, Miles returned to the ceremony accompanied by Cody Deveny, a monk in training who is expected to take diksha in the near future. When Miles entered the room, a few guests appeared shocked by the drastic change. Miles was now ready to renounce the world of attachment and ready to join the selfless world of spiritual devotion, self-improvement, and soul awakening.

Before Acharya Shree gave Miles his vows, he asked for full permission of the parents and the community to give diksha. Upon approval, Acharya Shree guided Miles to repeat his lifetime vow in the Prakrit language. Miles took his vow to renounce all wrongdoings for the rest of his life; to refrain from wrongdoings with his mind, speech, and body, and will not inspire or approve others from doing them. He committed for all of his life to follow the 5 Mahavratas (Great Vows) --nonviolence, truthfulness, non-stealing, brahmacharya, and non-possession.

After taking his vows, the newly initiated monk received the name of Saman Abhiroop. “Saman” means a male monk following the Shramanic Tradition, and Abhiroop means “beautiful inside and out.” Immediately after, Saman Abhiroop delivered his very first speech (Pratham Sambodhan) as a newly initiated Jain monk.

His speech was inspiring and deeply heartfelt to say the least. Saman Abhiroop shared with the public personal stories, feelings, and his gratitude to the one and only who would change his life forever, his spiritual master Acharya Shree Yogeesh.

“I was naive about myself and the world, and made many mistakes, but you never gave up on me. I am surprised by you every day, for the depth of your kindness, forgiveness, wisdom and understanding seem endless. Thank you for giving me right guidance, for without it, this path might as well be impossible. I hope that I can make you proud as a disciple, as a monk, and as a protector of life. Thank you Acharya Shree. Matthen Vandami.”

Saman Abhiroop stated the deeper reasons why he wanted to follow this path:

“When I realized that I do not have freedom, it became the most important fight in my life. My mission. My purpose. When a person becomes a monk, they become a protector of all life, because when you begin to understand your suffering, you automatically see the suffering of others and you know that their pain is no different than yours. You become one.”

He touched everyone's hearts by sharing his purpose and stating a strong message for all the attendees:

“While I am alive and I have this body, I will be a protector of life. I will reach my hand to help those who have nothing and help them lift themselves higher, and I will remind those who have too much to be humble just like the tree, full of fruit. We are all the same. We are all equal. Let your negativities and divisions be a thing of the past. If you are quick to anger, be even quicker to forgive. Not only others but forgive yourself. Let your wounds heal. There is no time to waste in this life, so don't get taken by your senses, don't get taken by your negativities. Instead be strong. Ask yourself who you are and why you are here. You were not born to fulfill a job, you were born to fulfill a purpose.”

Saman Abhiroop's qualities were developed through the right guidance of Acharya Shree. Acharya Shree expressed the following about him,

“Saman Abhiroop is a special soul who has been seeking truth for several years. As soon as he arrived at Siddhayatan Tirth, his soul began to blossom. He is already a hard working soul, and after Diksha, his efforts will transform and shine in such a way to make even more impact. Though loving and emotional by nature, he is strong to face the difficulties of the path. After Diksha, he will not only help himself but also all living beings.”

Saman Abhiroop has become the third American student to take Jain Diksha under H.H. Acharya Shree Yogeesh and to enter the Siddha Sangha Order. In 2008, Sadhvi Siddhali Shree was the first ever to take Jain Sadhvi Diksha in North America. In 2016, Sadhvi Anubhuti became the first Hispanic to take Jain Sadhvi Diksha. There are currently two dedicated and devoted students training to take Diksha one day. The Siddha Sangha order is the first group of progressive Jain monks in the world spreading the universal spiritual teachings of the Tirthankaras in the U.S. and abroad.

Acharya Shree Yogeesh is the head of the Siddha Sangha Jain order. He is an inspiring revolutionary spiritual leader who has dedicated his life to helping guide hundreds of thousands of people on their spiritual. Acharya Shree Yogeesh is the founder of the Siddhayatan Tirth & Spiritual Retreat, a unique 205-acre spiritual pilgrimage site and meditation park in North. Acharya Shree is also the founder of Yogeesh Ashram near Los Angeles, California, Yogeesh Ashram International in New Delhi, India, Acharya Yogeesh Primary & Secondary children's school in Haryana, India, and Siddhayatan Europe in Tallinn, Estonia.