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Acharya Ji after the Diksha with Baba Guru Kundan Lalji
and Guru Chottelal ji. cating world peace, universal brotherhood and above all non-violence were frequently adopted at these conferences. Guruji is also widely known for his unprecedented - and highly controversial - international tour which began in 1975. He was the first Jain Monk to have traveled overseas. For centuries, Jain monks were permitted to travel solely by foot, yet Guruji recognized the wisdom in breaking from this ancient restraint in order to share his message of non- violence, peace and the oneness of all living beings with the world at large. Since then, his acclaim as a true man of God has spread to all corners of the earth: In 1982, Guruji inspired the leaders of eight nations to submit a memorandum de- manding peace through non-violence to the Secretary General of the United Nations. He has since inspired the construction of numerous Jain Temples, Centers and HinduJain Temples all over the world. He explained that peace through non-violence could not be compromised or ex- ploited and would ensure the sanctity of human life as well
as extending protection to the animal kingdom, the environment and all of our Earth Mother. Guruji and his devotees also served as the fourth largest support group for the Peace Rally held in New York in 1982-an event that was attended by nearly one million individuals from around the world. In August of 1989, Guruji was invited to inaugurate and preside over the World Hindu Conference in Britain. As Hindus regard him as one of their spiritual leaders, they enthusiastically embraced his notion of Ahimsa (Non-Violence) and vowed to join him in propagating the virtues of meditation, vegetarianism and unity. That same year Guruji addressed the World Conference on Religions for Peace in Melbourne, Australia. Advocating the dire need to protect the animal kingdom and our natural environment, he explained that all living beings equally share the right to life. In 1990, Guruji was an honored guest at the Global Conference for Human Survival in Moscow. More than 1200 individuals from 70 countries travelled to the USSR to take part in this historic gathering and were present to participate in Guruji's meditation and hear his remarks on the need for non-violence. It was here that Guruji had an opportunity to meet with Mikhail Gorbachev and discuss issues related to the establishment of world peace and global co-operation. Then in 1991 he travelled to Iran in an attempt to persuade Saddam Hussein to adopt a peaceful resolution to the Gulf Crisis. And although poor roads and the prevailing war conditions prevented him from entering Iraq, Guruji was widely recognized and appreciated for his valiant efforts to stop the Gulf War. There is hardly a nation that has not been touched by his efforts and today His Holiness Acharya Sushil Kumar Ji Maharaj continues to work towards the fulfillment of his divine purpose: Siddhachalam, the first Jain tirth established outside of India, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. As pilgrims from around the world continue to be drawn to this magnificent and distinguished spiritual center in ever increasing numbers, Guruji could easily stop to reflect upon his recent achievements: The International Mahavir Jain Mission became affiliated with the United Nations as an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization). Furthermore, the concept of Ahimsa was adopted by the United Nations for the first time in history at the Sacred Earth Summit in order to protect all forms of the 8.4 million species of life existing in the world today. The World Movement of Non-Violence for Peace and Environment was launched in Rio with Guruji serving as Founder and President and Dr. Robert Muller its
Chonso Non-Volence Choose Peace 38 Choose Brotherhood Choose Life Line
JAIN ASHRAM. STATEN ISLAM
The Peace Rally in 1982 June 1994
Jain Digest
Page 5
Jain Education International 2010_02
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