Ahimsa the Ultimate Winner

Author(s): N P Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 17

Jain philosophy for the benefit of the wider strata of human community. Indeed the tremendous progress achieved in popularizing vegetarianism outside India in recent decades has been to a considerable extent due to the pioneering efforts of Jains abroad.
Jainism stands at crossroads of history. All along since its birth, it was largely confined to India, and did not spread outside Indian shores. Beginning with the 20th century, more and more Jains have settled abroad and have built up the momentum that has greatly contributed to the increasing global spread and global impact of Jainism all over the world.
The Jain spiritual leaders who stand out for their distinguished contribution towards institutionalizing Jainism's global spread and impact are Gurudev Chitrabhanu and Acharya Sushil Kumarji Maharaj, Chitrabhanuji has established numerous and for years actively functioning Jain Yoga and meditation centre all over USA, Europe and Africa, and has rendered yeomen service to propagating vegetarianism as well as Jain way of ethical life. Acharya Sushil Kumarji became the eloquent champion for initiating a global movement for Non-violence, with the foundation of which I was also closely associated while we were together for the U.N. Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Credit goes to Acharya Sushil Kumarji also for establishing the first ever Jain pilgrimage centre at Siddhachalam in New Jersey (NJ) in USA where all sects and traditions of Jain religion worship under one roof as per respective rituals. This has set a very desirable precedent. Thereafter a number of Jain temples that have come up in different cities of USA are composite in nature- thereby emphasizing the basic unity of the Jain faith.
In recent times Acharya Tulsi and his highly perceptive and enlightened successor, Acharya Mahapragyaji have broadened the horizons of Jain philosophy. Transcending narrow religious divides, they have sought to arouse awareness among people of all religious persuasions about the need to work for steady growth Ahimsa: The Ultimate Winner * (xiv)