Awakening

Author(s): Padmasagarsuri
Publisher: Arunoday Foundation

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The great acharya was born on the Poornima day (the full moon day) and attained Poornatha (fulness or perfection). He preached and spread the doctrine of Ahimsa throughout Gujarath and he also led Maharaj Jayasimha and King Kumarpal on the path of Dharma. Just as Arjuna received the message of Lord Krishna, King Kumarpal received the message of Hemachandracharya and attained the state of “Paramarhata" (the highest place of merit)
On account of the impact of the preaching of the Acharyashri, Kumarpal became profoundly influenced by the Jain Dharma or doctrines and discarded his immoral ways. Moreover, he constructed new Jain temples and reconstructed the dilapidated ones. He made a royal proclamation prohibiting the killing of animals and birds. He went on pilgrimages many times. He established at every place a library (of Jain Scriptures) and contributed to the progress and increase of Jains.
The sun of the Jain faith, Jainacharya, Sri Hemachandra Soori shone far in all glory and gave up peacefully his mortal body at the age of 84, in the year of Samvat 1229.
The Jain world was plunged in sorrow on account of this bereavement but we have with us his great works which we can study and from which we can derive enlightenment.