Glimpses Of World Religions

Author(s): Gunvant Barvalia
Publisher: Navbharat Sahitya Mandir

Page 59

Glimpses of World Religions
Noticing that in idolatry, the founding ceremonies (Pratishtha festivals) are done with great pomp and pleasure, there being less and less attention to concentration on the 'knowledge of the self". He saw in these perverted chaitya-vad or consciousness in the initiations and celebrations a kind of showmanship or hypocricy. Upto that time, Agamas were the possessions of the sadhus or saints. They used to say "the householders are not allowed to read the scriptures"; and they threatened to such an extent that they circulated or popularised a slogan to the effect that "one who reads a 'Sutra' sees the death of 'Putra' (son)..." Being nervous with fear, they were afraid to read the Sutras. The sadhus used to make the peoples' minds believe that the sadhus only have the right to read the Sutras, he felt such other stories as chains binding to the authoritarianism as also he found therein the passiveness of the Shramanclass.
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Because of the very fine handwritings of Lonkashah, Hon. sage named Gyanji, entrusted to him the task of re-writing the Agamas. While doing this work of re-writing, and contemplating and meditating on these, he realised that lack of ethical values has intercepted the religion. So he enkindled the torch of revolution in religion, and he made tremendous efforts or Purushartha to make the people realise the concern of true Dharma.
Because of the inspiration of Lonkashah, 45 persons, accepting Deeksha, started the pioneering work of propagating true religion. After that, 152 Deekshas were enlisted from Patan only, and in the areas Shirohee, Arhatvada. Dikshas were declared from many towns. On the 5th day of Magsar month Samvat 1536 even Lonkashah was sanctified with Deeksha at the hands of Sohan Muni. He toured in each and every village for 10 years, exhibiting 'Dharma Prabhavana', stayed for a full monsoon in Delhi. Then, at Alwar when he broke the fasts of eight days and did 'Parna',