Development And Impact Of Jainism In India And Abroad

Author(s): Gunvant Barvalia
Publisher: Arham Spiritual Center

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Development & Impact of Jainism in India & Abroad
with father went to listen to religious discourse by jainmuni ShriJayanandsuri. That discourse created a deep impression in the mind of this young boy. At this stage only at the age just 7 years, he took initiation {Dixa} under the auspices of Guru Jayanandsuriji and there after he was known as Somsundersuriji.
After becoming ascetic ( muni ), he studied various subjects like grammar, alankar, chhand, logic, Upnishads etc. and became a profound scholar. As a result at the age of 20, he was conferred as Vachaka. In the year 1401 A.D. in Patan, he was conferred as Acarya, by Shri Devsundersuriji. After the demise of his guru , he was declared as "Gachhadhipati.
During that time indiscipline, blindfaith, ignorance, illiteracy, suspicion etc. was prevailing in the community. In such circumstances, Acaraya sriSomsundersuriji with his intellectual approach and nice discourses, he made the rulers to restrain themselves and keep away from violence, non-vegeterianism and took the promise from them, that they will not harass people and allow them to follow their own religion. Thus he had put in all his efforts to have harmonious relations between the rulers and people. His valuable contributions include Bhashyatar curanika, Kalyanakstav, Ratnakoshnavcivi, Gurjar gira Updeshmala, Yogasastra-shadavashayk ane Aradhana ras, Neminath Navras Fagu etc.. There were 1800 munishris in his group.
Information states that the installation ceremony of idols in Posina pilgrimage, and also such ceremony were under his auspicies.
While actively carring on his services towards jain religion , literature, and the community he expired in the year 1443 A.D..
PUJYA ACARAYA SHRI VIJAYVIGYANSURIJI :
Being the birthplace of many renowned and well learned scholars, Patan, the capital of Gujarat, has created a history by itself. A son was born to Shri Amritlalbhai Sanghavi and Smt. Parasaben in the year samvat 1946, who was named as Bhikhabhai. Bhikhabhai lost his beloved mother during his childhood only. As such he was brought up at his maternal uncle's home. In his prime youth at the age sixteen years, on 3rd day of Kartak of the year samvat 1962, he became ascetic ( Muni) under the auspices of Acarya shri Vijaynemisuriji, and was named as Munishri Vigyanvijayji. He used to take care of manuscripts. Learning and meditation being prime requisite for detachment and for character, he himself was putting all the efforts to see no ascetics ( male as well as female i.e. sadhu and sadhaviji) are left out, and would provide all the necessary help to them. And for this very purpose he continued to deliver discourses till the end of his life. Keeping in view that munis with good moral characters are necessary, even during adverse situation, he had conferred dixa to 45 to 50 munis.
In the year samvat 1987, he was honoured as Upadhayaya and in the year samvat 1991 as Acaraya.He never feared death. In the year samvat 2022 on Fhagan vad at 1 p.m., he suffered heart attack and had become the victim of paralysis. But with the blessings of Dev, Guru and religion, within one hour he was fully recovered. But caitra sud 14 of the samvat year porved to be a fatal day for him. In Khambhat, at Oswal Upashraya on that night at 9-11 p.m. he left this body for his heavenly abode.
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