The Jain 1998 07

Author(s): Amrit Godhia, Pradip Mehta, Pravin Mehta
Publisher: UK Jain Samaj Europe

Page 87

10th anniversary pratishtha mahotsana
GURU GAUTAM SWAMI
STHANAKYASI UPASHRAY
Gautam Swami was a brilliant non Jain scholar and was earlier known as Indrabhuti. He decided to follow Mahavir after coming into contact with him. Later he was named Gautam and became chief disciple of Mahavir. He would have achieved realisation quite earlier due to his tremendous knowledge, except
for his attachment to Mahavir. Knowing this, Mahavir had sent him away to preach at the time of his nirvana. On returning Gautam heard the news and realised that even his affection did not stop Mahavir passing away. At this moment he achieved omniscience (keval gyan) and liberated his soul at the age of 92.
In India at the places where Sthanakvasi Jain population
is concentrated, normally nuns and monks would be
stopping over at the Upashrayas, during their travels from one
centre to another. This gives the community an opportunity to listen to those who are living with five onerous vows and build on their faith in the path followed by the Jinas. At the time of delivering sermons the sadhvijis and sadhus would take a seat on the wooden bench (pat) and the followers would sit on the floor. The renouncers do not travel during the monsoon season and stay at one place for a period of about four months (chomasu). This gives the community an extensive benefit of indulging in various religious activities, such as day camps (shibir), for recognition of the soul.
VIJAY VALLABH SURISHWARJI
Vijay Vallabh Surishwarji is Lay persons would visit the Upashray to reverendly regarded as one of the greatest greet the mendicants and receive their blessings. This Jain Acharya (spiritual leader) of provides an opportunity to ask the renouncers whether recent time. He was born in 1870 they need any permitted necessities such as medicines and was named Chhagan. Having and writing materials. The nuns and monks bless local lost parents at the tender age of households (dharmalabh) by visiting them to accept ten, he passed most of the time essential items of food in their own utensils (patras). in meditation and study of the scriptures and renounced Due to the strict observation of vows the renouncers possessions at the age of 17. He are not able to come here from India and hence there
preached teachings of Mahavir is no one to sit on the pat. In this case, Kalpasutra is saying that to achieve true happiness one should have placed on it to represent symbol of knowledge. amity, equanimity, integrity, honesty and tolerance towards all living things. He emerged as a scholar, a great saint and a social reformer during his life span of
DIGAMBAR JINALAY 84 years.
Digambar Jinalay MANIBHADRA DADA
offers a place of
worship to the Manibhadra Dada is a celestial
Digambara Jains being and is regarded by the Jains
and represents an as their protector. He is
important part of worshipped heartily for fulfilling
the tradition by wishes and for removing all
keeping its light difficulties.
shining
foFP
ET
THE
-
-@at85peso