Jain Digest 2001 07 Vol 19 No 03

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 14

LORD MAHAVIR'S GANDHARAS...(Cont..)
YASOVIJAYJI UPADHYAY (1700 A.D.)
Yasovijayji Updhayay is a contemporary of Yogi Aandganji and in fact Yasovijayji considered Anadganji as his true spiritual master. Today we take great pride in linking Yasovijayji's name with other Jain Master Haribhadra in terms of his contribution and depth of Jain philosophy. Yasovijayji took Dixa at age 5 and went to Kashi to study Sanskrit and Prakrit. There he became a great scholar of these languages and studied all Jain Agam texts at very young age. He composed more than one hundred (100) scriptures in his life time. Some of his masterpieces include Adhyatmasar, Gnansar, Adhyatmaupnishad, Updesh Rahasya, etc. Like Andaganji, Yaosvijayji also made a major effort to steer the crowd mentality from blind following of rituals to true spiritual pursuits by his immortal Stavans and songs. It is accurate to say that in Lord Mahavir's following, Yasovijayji has been the last eminent Upadhyay to give us the precious gift of so many epic scriptures equal to Agam texts in value.
SHRIMAD RAJCHANDRA (1868-1901)
Shrimad Rajchandra, a great seer and highly self realized Master was born only 100 years ago in Gujarat in 1868. At age seven, Shrimad attained Atma-samadhi and was able to "see" his 900 past lives. Shrimad says in his own words," I was a disciple of Lord Mahavir in the previous life".
At age 13 Shrimad had studied all the Agam texts in full and began composing his own spiritual writings of great merit. At age 16 he wrote his first great text Moxmala which is considered as modern age's Utradhyayan Sutra. Shrimad attained Xayic Samkit at age 23 and composed his immortal epic Atamsiddhi Shastra after attaining fullest form of pure consciousness. His biggest contribution to the Jain literature is in the form of more than 900 letters written to his disciples and this work is collected in a text known popularly as Vachanamrut.
In his epic work Atmasiddhi Shrimad has condensed the essence of 14 Purvas in 142 verses only. Nevertheless, this epic provides a complete workbook for a disciple where the pitfalls are in spiritual Sadhana. In his short life span of 33 years, Shrimadji has made monumental contribution to Jain literature and his life itself is an everlasting light to provide guidance and inspiration to each student of spiritual quest.
Let us offer our humble tribute to our Lord on this 2600th Janma Kalyanak and our deep respect to all the great Jain Masters that have followed His great footsteps and have given us invaluable scriptures to pursue the original path of self realization prescribed by Lord Mahavir to find eternal bliss and liberation from the cycle of pain, misery, birth and death. Namoloe Savva Sahunam.
12 / JAIN DIGEST⚫ FALL 2001 Jain Education International 2010_02
AFFILIATE NEWS...
INTERNATIONAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF SHRI MAHAVIR JAIN VIDYALAYA
The International Alumni Association of Shri Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya (IAAMJV) held its biennial general body meeting on July 8, 2001 during the JAINA Convention in Chicago. The meeting began with a presentation by Anop Vora describing the progress that the association has made to date. Highlights of this discussion included a review of the tremendous growth of the association and the activities and achievements made over the last 10 years. One example of these achievements was the new branch of Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya that was inaugurated on February 12 in Udaipur (Rajasthan State). The association credited Dr. Mohan Jain (Allentown, Pa) and his team for their superb dedication in bringing this project to reality.
The success of IAAMJV is based on the support from the community. In recognition of this fact, the following people were recognized for their generous contributions: Dr. Mohanlal and Mrs. Kamla Bafna, Mr. Dinesh and Mrs. Sangita Bafna, Dr. Kala and Dr. Nikhil (Bafna) Amesur, Mr. Suresh and Mrs. Gunvanti Bafna, Mr. Pravin and Mrs. Harsha Shah, Mr. Chhaganlal and Mrs. Induben Bapna, Drs. Mahesh and Indu Varia, Dr. Babubhai and Nangnooch Pragani, Dr. Chandrakant and Mrs. Devyani Shah, and Mr. Babulal and Mrs. Mangla Bafna.
The Constitution of IAAMJV requires the election of the Executive Committee members for a two-year term. The following
were declared elected for the coming term (2001-2003): Rajnikant T. Shah Warrenville, IL President Anop Vora Rochester, NY Rasik Shah Elk Grove, IL Ramesh Fofaria Garner, NC Mahendra C. Shah MapleGrove, MN Ramesh Fofaria presented the financial report of the association. Dr. Dinesh Shah outlined the progress of the USA scholarship program. In addition, Mr. Dipchand Gardi and Dr. Mohan Jain addressed the meeting. Questions from attendees and a proposal to begin membership fees were also discussed. Rasik Shah closed the meeting with a vote of thanks.
Communication
Vice President General Secretary
Treasurer
Submitted by Rajnikant T. Shah