Jain Digest 2011 04

SR No.: 527119
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA
Publication Year: 2011
Total Pages: 80
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, USA_Jain Digest, & USA
File Size: 18 MB

Page 36

Taking his own life as an example we asked him about the possible attachment that a father and son could share as Acharya Gunayash Suriji was both his Guru and father. Acharya Kirtiyash Suriji while explaining the personality of his father recalled that regardless of the fact that he was the only son of his parents, his father (a true
disciplinarian) never passed any undue favors but ensured his proper development and upbringing. Gagalbhai (sansaric name of Acharya Gunayash Suriji) had a great sense of duty towards his family but not attachment (mooha). Acharyaji went on to describe various other instances that demonstrated this relationship. Another such instance is when; Acharyaji developed a serious leg infection, couple years after his diksha. During this period, Acharya Ramchandra Surishwarji wanted his disciple Muni Gunayash Suri to undertake a long journey, while concerned about health of the teenage Muni Kirtiyash Vijay. Expressing his concern, Acharya Ramchandra Surishwarji asked Muni Gunayash Suri if it was advisable for him to undertake the long journey leaving the teenage Muni behind. Muni Gunayash Suri did not hesitate to tell his Guru that as a sadhu it was his duty to follow his guru and that the well-being of teenage Muni Kirtiyash would be looked after by the head of the congregation, Acharya Ramchandra Surishwarji.
Giving a second incident exemplifying the relationship, Acharyaji talked about a serious roadside accident that he met three to four years ago. Lying in the hospital in a very critical condition, his Guru Acharya Gunayash Suriji came
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Muni Samvegyash Vijay
International
29.01
CHILD DIKSHA ACCEPTED BY GOVT. TO BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH JAIN SCRIPTURES -
JAIN DIGEST .. May 2011
Bal Diksha has been opposed for many years and these protests have increased over the last 100 years. The opposition to this, many centuries old religious practice from some social activist was mainly due to lack of understanding of the whole purpose of Diksha. It was important to educate the masses the deeper and real meaning of Diksha and how Bal Diksha was a part and parcel of this concept. Acharya Ramchandra Surishwarji Maharaj and Sagarsuri Maharaj had taken up the challenge of proving that Bal Diksha was not only an age old religious practice but also an appropriate path of spiritual progress for certain select individuals. Though Ramchandra Surishwarji Maharaj passed away 20 years ago, he started a great movement to educate the people the purpose of Bal Diksha. Acharya Kirtiyash Suri Maharaj, Acharya. Ramchandra Surishwarji's grand disciple, took over the mantle and continued the campaign.
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In a memorandum issued in Government of India Gazette dated April 27, 2009, it has been announced that 'diksha' of Jain children not below the age of 8 years is permissible and is quite in accordance with the Jain scriptures. High Courts of Rajasthan and Mumbai had earlier accepted child diksha as a religious activity and was permissible if the parents gave their consent. This ruling that Bal Diksha is beyond the scope of Juvenile Justice Amendment Act and therefore it is not an unlawful act, has now been cleared both by the Apex courts and the Government of India.
to visit him. The Guru's message was very simple, "You realize that suffering is a result of past karmas, handle them with samata (Equanimity)". Ten days later when Acharyaji's health had somewhat improved his Guru again visited him, and offered a different message "You cannot afford to sleep anymore; we have a lot of responsibility towards Dharma and the Sangh." Acharyaji depicted the life of a sadhu through this simple narration. He highlighted the deeper