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mean compromising on Jain values. On the contrary, it means practising Jainism as a living religion, which can deliver positive benefits to individuals and to the wider human community. Jainism is a transcendent religion, rising above passions and enabling the individual soul to escape the cycle of birth, death and rebirth. However, to transcend the world, one must first understand and try to improve it. Eastern philosophies, including Jainism, have been criticised for their emphasis on the otherworldly, as opposed to human needs and human rights. Conversely, Western thought has often been limited by its emphasis on the material at the expense of the spiritual; the immediate at the expense of the transcendent.
For Acharya Mahaprajna both elements, spiritual and material, are essential for human fulfilment. The spiritual and meditative dimension should be balanced by a practical concern for one's fellow creatures. The pursuit of material needs, for oneself and others, should be balanced by the values of personal restraint
and spiritual endeavour. The Jain principle of aparigraha balances spiritual and material values by asking us to live within limits rather than squander the Earth's resources. Over-consumption is a form of himsa to oneself as well as to the planet, as is violence of any kind. With this in mind, Acharya Mahaprajna has organised programmes on peace and non-violence in India and around the world for politicians, non-governmental organisations, fellowJains and members of other faith communities. In this way, Acharya Mahaprajna is in the reforming tradition within Eastern religion, along with Hindu spiritual leaders such as Sri Aurobindo and Swami Vivekananda, who gave the Vedic tradition a new dynamism and reconnected
it with wider social concerns. His balance of spiritual and material needs should also appeal to the West where, since the time of Christ, spiritual thinkers have argued that humans 'cannot live on bread alone. Acharya Mahaprajna's interpretation of Jain teachings accords well with the trend towards social engagement among Buddhists, East and West, and with strong Islamic and Jewish traditions for social reform. Not surprisingly therefore, Acharya
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Mahaprajna has been invited to Buddhist monasteries as well as temples, churches and mosques, to discuss issues relating to ahimsa, world peace and interfaith dialogue.
The Anuvrat movement stresses the responsibility of lay Jains to obey these vows not passively, but to apply them actively so that they make a difference to the world around them. As such, the sect's emphasis has been on practice rather than
ritual, on the importance of the individual and on equality between the lay and ascetic aspects of Jainism. Like Acharya Shree Tulsi before him, Acharya Mahaprajna stresses the need to transcend not only the lay/ascetic division, but also any other divisive criteria such as religious or social background, gender or race. Thus his teaching is, at one level, a 'back to basics' Jainism, but it is also universalist and so a highly modern interpretation of ancient wisdom.
Acharya Mahaprajna emphasises engagement with society and
a strong concern for social justice
Mahaprajna has developed a 'science of living', with three underlying goals:
⚫ development of a healthy personality: the integration of the physical, intellectual, spiritual and emotional aspects of the human character;
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⚫evolution of a new world, free from violence, exploitation and unrestrained conduct;
⚫ evolution of a new humanity, in which the scientific-rational and the spiritual world views are integrated. These sound like highly ambitious, almost grandiloquent goals. In a sense they are, but with each of these aims the starting point is the individual and the basic changes he or she can make in daily life, which together
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add up to something larger. Although Acharya Mahaprajna is perhaps best known for his social and in the broadest sense - political work, he is as focused on the inner life as any other Jain muni. Indeed, one of his many honorific titles is: Retriever of Jain Yoga. This was conferred on Mahaprajna for his revival of Preksha Dhyana, a form of meditation rooted in Jain culture. He regards meditation highly important to individuals and society. Individuals use it to pursue truth and transcend the ego. This in turn encourages good conduct, sociability and peace.
Acharya Mahaprajna has achieved much in his life, and for a man of his years displays immense energy and zest. He has walked over 100,000 miles as a monk and is now in the third year of an Ahimsa Yatra, or walk for non-violence, during which he has met many prominent figures in Indian public life (see World News section). His award raises the profile of Jain teachings and so is being celebrated by Jains of all schools of thought, in India and beyond.
For more information about the Ahimsa Yatra, visit:
MAHAPRAJNA
JAIN MUNI RECEIVES INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL INTERGRATION AWARD
http://www.terapanthsurat.com/yatra.asp
www.jainelibrary.org
