Son of diamond merchant, 12 year old Surat boy to become Jain monk

A 12-year-old boy from Surat has decided to choose a different path by renouncing his family, leaving all his personal belongings and emotional attachments and become a Jain monk. Bhavya Shah, son of a diamond merchant Dipesh Shah, arrived on Thursday for his initiation ceremony with a convoy of decorated vehicles and horse carts.

"I am happy to take the path of truth shown by God," Shah told ANI. His family is giving all supports to him. "I am deserting my mother and father as they taught me that this is the true path. My father and mother would also come on this path one day in future," he added.

Dipesh Shah told ANI that their daughter also opted the same path when she was 12.

Jain monks are normally detached from any social and worldly activities. They follow established guidelines for daily worship and austerity to attain self-purification for self-realization.