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JAIN DIGEST.. May 2011
the various aspects and meaning of many obscure Mahatma Gandhi. Shrimadji was not an Acharya Agamic texts.
or a Sadhu in a traditional Jain way, but he was respected by many Jain Acharyas due his level of knowledge and spirituality being in complete conformance with the Jain Philosophy. It is for this reason Jains across all traditions respect Shrimadji teachings.
Acharya Yasovijaya a seventeenth century (1624-1688) Jain philosopher-monk was one of India's greatest philosopher and logician. He was a thinker, prolific writer and commentator who had a strong and lasting influence on Jainism. He was a disciple of Muni Nayavijaya in the lineage of famous Jain monk Hiravijaya (belonging to the Tapa Gachchha tradition of Shwetamber Jains) who influenced Emperor Akbar to give up meat eating.
Acharya Bhikshu (1726-1803) was one of the great revolutionary saints and reformers of Jainism. He was the founder and first spiritual head of Jain Shwetamber Terapanth sect. He was Agamic scholar and a prolific writer who initiated a reform movement that has had a significant impact on the spread of the Jain philosophy both within and outside the Jain community. His successors have built on this movement to expand the influence across, caste, religion, and national boundaries.
New Groups / Sects
Shrimad Rajchandra (1867-1901) was a prominent Jain philosopher. Raychandbhai Ravajibhai Mehta (popularly known as Shrimad Rajchandra) was not a typical Jain sadhu. In fact, he was never initiated and he reportedly was at the threshold of complete renunciation when he contracted an illness from which he never recovered. Though young in age, he was spiritually matured, and remained in a state of heightened awareness. He wrote some of the most intriguing spiritual poems at the tender age of nine. Despite a powerful intrinsic attitude of detachment and a burning desire for total renunciation, at the age of 20, he had to tie the knot of marriage and engage in business. He was also a prolific writer and is famous for his work, Atma Siddhi Shastra. He was the spiritual guru of
With 20tion International
Kanji Swami (1889-1980) was a Jain scholar, philosopher and spiritual leader. He was the founder of the Kanjipanth within the Digamber Jain tradition. He was originally initiated as a Sthanakvasi Jain monk at age 24, however subsequent influence by the writing of Acharya Kundkunda made him follow the Digamber tradition. The are however few difference in the interpretation of Acharya Kundkunda's writing between the traditional Digamber groups and Kanjipanth.
Dada Bhagwan: Ambalal Muljibhai Patel, also known as Dadashri (1908-1988) was the founder of a now fairly popular religious movement. For most part, the group accepts most of the tenets of Jainism, but does have some fundamental differences. Paying lot on emphasis to selfrealization, the group considers Simandhar Swami (living Tirthankar by Jain Tradition) as their highest source of inspiration. Their fundamental premise is that self-realization can be achieved by direct contacts with a another Akram Vigyani (a selfrealized person), and need not go through the elaborate process of Karma Nirjara, in other words, a short-cut path to Self Realization. Further, such window of self-realization is open for a very short period of time. According to the group, though ultimate liberation is not possible in the current time cycle, with Akram science, it possible for one to attain a level of spirituality whereby a person has only one more life before final salvation. Interestingly, the group considers Hindu Load Shiva and Lord Krishna were Akram Vignani. In a short period of time, this group has gained a large following, primarily in Gujarat.
Only Guru can show path of Moksha Only Guru can provide Enlightened Knowledge Only Guru can remove one out of Delusion (Misery) Only Guru can lead one to permanent happiness (Bliss)
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