Vaishali Abhinandan Granth

SR No.: 012088
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Yogendra Mishra
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology and Ahimsa
Publication Year: 1985
Total Pages: 592
Language: Hindi, English
Classification: Smruti_Granth
File Size: 17 MB

Page 9

this regard. It was decided by this Committee to construct Smarak for which money would be contributed by the members of the Jaina community and the Government on 50-50 percent basis with the stipula. tion that the amount in excess of it would be raised by the members of the Jaina Samaj. Later, in the year 1982-83, the hard core Committee was registered under the Registration of Societies Act, 1860 to perform the task of construction of Smarak whereas the parent Committee of which the Governor is the President would continue to address itself to the overall policy matters regarding development of the Vaisali region as a centre of international tourists. Vaigali is well-known for its close association with Lord Buddha. After leaving Kapilavastu for renunciation, he came to Vaigali first and had his spiritual training from Ramaputra Udraka and Alara Kalama. After the Enlightenment the Buddha frequently visited Vaisali. He organised his Bhikshu Sangha on the pattern of democracy prevailing in Vaisali. It was here that he established the Bhikshuni Sangha, initiating his maternal aunt Mahaprajavati Gautami into the Order. His last Varshavasa (rainy season resort) was here and he announced his approaching Mahaparinirvana (the final departure from the world) here just three months in advance. Before leaving for Kusinagara, he left bis alms-bowl (Bhiksha-Patra) here with tho people 'of Vaisali for a keepsake. The people of Vaigali received one-eighth of the Buddha's relic asbes which they reverentially deposited in a stupa. Naturally, Vaisali is a place of reverence to the Buddhists. The Most Ven. Nichidatsu Fujii Guruji and his religious Order, Nipponzan Myohoji, felt that the revival of the ancient glory of a place like Vaisali would add to the prosperity of India, and the restoration of Vaigali, for the Buddhists, would indeed be a major homage to Lord Buddha. This organisation had decided to renovate Vaisali within the life-time of Fujii Guruji and in October 1983 the Guruji, in the 99th year of his life, himself came to Vaisali for the foundationstone-laying ceremony presided over by the Governor of Bihar for the construction of the Vishva Shanti Stupa which, incidentally, would be the highest of all Stupas built so far, being 160 feet in height. Clearly, the purpose is to disseminate love and peace in mankind, a mission which Emperor Asoka had undertaken more than 2000 years ago after the Kalinga war by building Stupas and erecting pillars and engraving thereupon his message of universal love and peaceful co-existence.