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OUR HEAVENLY ABODE SPIRITUAL LEADER
H. H. Swasti Shri Charukeerthi Bhattarak Ji. Born August 2, 1939; Samadhi January 15, 1998
His Holiness Shri Charukeerthi Bhattarak Swamiji is the ex-offcio name for being the head of Shri Jain Math of Moodbidri. He was born on August 2, 1939 in a respected Digamber Jain family of Moodbidri: one of the most attractive and impressive historical, tourist, as well as Jain pilgrimage center of South India. He received his early education in Moodbidri and his B.A degree from Banaras Hindu University and his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Rajasthan University. He was honored with many literary and honorary degrees by various institutions. The Mayors of City of Cleveland and Quincy, Illinois and Governor of State of Ohio also honored him for his contributions to the world peace.
At the age of 20, he took the vow of celibacy and on April 30, 1975, he was coroneted and acquired the name of Bhattrak Charukeerthi or Mathadhipati of Jain Math, Moodbidri. He traveled far and wide in side and out side of India. He had knowledge of many other religions and respected interfaith understanding. He first came to the United States in August 1979 to address the Third Assembly of the World Conference on Religions at Princeton University and later visited many Jain centers including Jain Society of Greater Cleveland on September 14-21, 1979. Between 1979 and 1997, he visited many Jain centers in North America and enriched Jain community with his knowledge of principles of Jainism. He was admired by people of all faith. He had knowledge of many languages such as Prakrit, Pali Hindi, Sanskrit, Kannada, Tamil, and English. His specialty was to perform many types of pooja's especially for the newly build temples. In September 1995, he was instrumental in performing 'Pran Pratistha of Jina Paratima of Jain Center of Cincinnati and Dayton.
He heavenly abode on January 15, 1998. Jain Community of North America will miss his religious discourses and counsel forever.
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