Tulsi Prajna 1992 04

SR No.: 524570
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Parmeshwar Solanki
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati
Publication Year: 1992
Total Pages: 130
Language: Hindi
Classification: Magazine, India_Tulsi Prajna, & India
File Size: 6 MB

Page 97

Vol. XVIII, No. 1
the time of his passing away he was fully conscious and fully realising that his life was gradually exhausting. Just three days prior to his passing away he nominated as his successor, the present Acharya Shri Tulsi.
Among the notable personalities who paid visit to Acharya Shri Kalura mji Swami may be mentioned the names of Dr. Hermann Jacobi of Bonn (Germany), the celebrated Jain scholar who visited him in 1914 A.D.; Dr. Charles W. Gilkey of Chicago who visited him in 1925 A.D.; the Hon'ble Agent 10 the Governor-General, Rajputana States and Maharana Sir Bhopal Singhji of Udaipur and each of them spoke highly about his saintly character and high erudition.
The ninth and present Acharya Shri Tulsi was born at Ladnun on Kartik Sudi, V.S. 2, 1971. His father was Jhumarmalji Khater. His initiation took place on Pous Badi 5, V.S. 1911 along with his sister Ladaji at Ladnun and he was installed as ninth Acharya on first Bhadrapada Sudi 9, V.S. 1993 corresponding to 26.8.1936 A.D.
Acharya Shri Tulsi has brought about a revolution in the order. It is a rare instance in history when a young man of 22 assumed the responsibility of guiding 500 monks and nuns and lacs of lay-followers. But he reorganised the order and inspired the monks to acquire modern knowledge and the nuns to learn Sanskrit and Prakrit. He directed his attention towards social reforms and started the Anuyrat movement with a twofold object. One was to utilise an organised body of monks and nuns for the benefit of mankind and the other was to raise the morality of society which was fast degrading after the attainment of independence by India.
He is all in all a worthy successor of a worthy Acharya. He received Miss Meliscent Shepherd, who was then chief Organiser of the Association for Moral and Social Hygiene in India, on 4th February, 1946 i.e. ten years after his installation, along with the lady H. Mary Spens, wife of Hon'ble Sir Patric Spens, C.B.E., Chief Justice of India and she spoke very high of the Acharya Shri and remarked that from the glowing lamp of his teaching and example many holy lives are lit.
Following is the text of her speech delivered at Sardarshahr on 4th February, 1946.-- “Gentlemen,
On behalf of Lady Spens, Mr. & Mrs Gupta and myself, I have been allowed by His Holiness, a few minutes in which to try to express our heartfelt gratitude for the most generous hospitality we have enjoyed here at Sardarshahr at the kind invitation of the Jain Svetamber Terapanthi Sabha:
To His Holiness the Acharya Maharaj, we are indeed indebted.