Jain Digest 1994 06 Vol 10 No 02

SR No.: 527054
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA
Publication Year: 1994
Total Pages: 36
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, USA_Jain Digest, & USA
File Size: 7 MB

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officially inaugurated in 1991, it became the 'Palitana' of the West. India and began working on the global scale. It was his mission to Visiting this Tirth makes it possible for each Jain to fulfill a serve all humanity. pilgrimage without going to India.
In the past few years my family and I had the good fortune He actively participated as an ambassador in negotiating to be able to spend time at the lotus feet of Guruji. Sidhdhachalam peaceful settlements for all the troubled areas of the world, a true became our second home. Indeed, it was our hope that testament of his efforts for achieving his goal of global harmony. As Sidhdhachalam would be our only home. What was there for us at our sincere tribute to him, let us all make a commitment to Sidhdhachalam? Thousands of people came there whenever there continue to carry the torch of non-violence and friendship to was a major event, lectures, worship services and many other mankind, which Guruji ignited throughout the world.
activities. When these events ended, people returned to their Ashvin Shah, Orange, CT.
homes and only Guruji and a handful of Ashram devotees re
mained. The time we spent at Guruji's lotus feet was the most In a special meeting of IMJM of Orange County and Jain blissful. A time of anand-mangal I did not ask questions. Indeed, Temple of Buena Park, when the children were invited to share I thought I was not fit to do so! But, there was no need for words. their experiences to pay tribute to Guruji, each one spoke with a big Just being there with Guruji was all that was necessary. In the lump in their throat, some of them could not even finish their mornings, Guruji would come to the temple and recite the sentence without sobbing.
Mantras. The magnificent Ashram with its glorious temple and Tears I saw in our kids eyes were not tears
divine murtis resonated with the sounds of mantras being chanted but love and respect for their spiritual mentor.
in Guruji's ringing voice. The group chanting that followed would Pain I heard in our kids voices was not pain
fill everyone with bliss and peace. In that moment of spiritual but a demonstration of their hunger to know more. abandonment one could reach into the depths of one's being Webow our head to you Guruji with millions of gratitudes.
There is no denying that Guruji attained Samadhi on You new your business and the investment we made in it is the best, Mahavir Jayanti and although we feel the pain, our faith and not just for us, but (also) for coming generations,
confidence remains. Guruji said a name is more than the person. Usha Jain, Irvine, CA.
I once told of my inability to seek his blessing, even though I
thought about him earnestly. He told me it was the right thing to All of theses special rememberences were compiled by:
do and added that whatever he achieved through his meditations Hansa Varia, Vice President, Southwest Jadavji Kenia, Regional Editor, Southwest
was to be found in his name. Many years ago, Guruji did some Anant lain, Vice Chairman, Public Relations
difficult sadhana. Kirtichandraji Maharaj said that no Jain monk Atul Khara, Member, Public Relations
or Acharya did such a rigorous sadhana in the past few centuries. Thus, all that is needed now is Guruji's name and meditation to be able to sit at his lotus feet.
Guruji was self-realized. His knowledge and perception
were from within. He was beyond the intellect, books and shastras. His Holiness Acharya Sushil Kumarji Maharaj, our beloved Guruji,
There were moments when he would speak about this kind of led a spiritual renaissance. His dynamic and spiritual form of
original knowledge. What is significant is that although Guruji leadership opened up new dimension that was concealed under the
had written books many years ago and was a scholar of the classics cobwebs of tradition and inertia. This was the dimension of
and shastras he went well beyond this. activism and positivism in Guruji's practice of affirmative Ahimsa.
Jain monks are addressed as Maharaj, not because they This affirmative and active Ahimsa was indeed the Ahimsa preached
have given up everything but, because they do not desire anything, and practiced by Lord Mahavir. It was this positive Ahimsa that
In a sense Guruji was truly royal. Kirtichandraji Maharaj used to took Lord Mahavir to Chand Kaishik. This was the Ahimsa of the
say light heartedly, "Guruji is holding his durbar." Indeed, Guruji valiant and fearless. This was the Ahimsa of one who was not
did hold his durbar, on a spiritual throne where he gave everything prepared to kill but, was certainly prepared to die.
away. Bliss to everyone! During the 7th World Religions ConferGuruji preached that religion was the spiritual song of the
ence, Guruji recited a couplet in Urdu which describes himself. soul. He transcended all divisions and found a common ground in that spiritual song, that one to one relationship of each soul.
"Amiri ki to aisi ki, Guruji was always in the thick of action. He brought
kii Apna ghar loota baithe! Ahimsa to the battle-ground, where it was needed most. He
Fakiri ki to aisi ki, brought the teachings of Lord Mahavir to a world struggling
kii uhnke gharmen ja baithe!" against strife and war. He came out of India. In doing so, broke all traditions and taboos.
For decades, Guruji has dwelled spiritually in the house Guruji was an Acharya. Since the days of that great Jain
of the Lord! Acharya Hemchandracharya, Guruji was the first Jain Acharya
Jain Society of Toronto, Canada who saw no reason to run away from politics and policies. In this
Shantichandra B. Shah tradition, Guruji concerned himself with action in all fields of life. He brought the Jain religion back to life and to the service of human beings, animals and plants. He was on an ad hoc basis, the de facto Raj Guru for successive governments. Guruji saw beyond JAIN DIGEST
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