Vardhaman Book on Jainism

Author(s): Jayshree Menon
Publisher: Bennete Coleman & Co Ltd

Page 16

संबोधि संगायक
charya Maha
The Acharya has written pragya, the 80-year
over 150 books on various old spiritual head
subjects including philosoof the Terapanth sect of
phy, literature, yoga and reJains around the world,
ligion in Hindi and Sanskrit. welcomed me into his
The Acharya is also a great humble abode; a simple
sadhaka or practitioner of little classroom of a pri
meditation and the rediscovmary school in a remote
ery of the lost links of the little Rajasthani village. He
Jain way of meditation - and his following of munis
Preksha Dhyana - are credand sadhvis had reached
ited to him. the settlement after walk
Karma took on a whole ing 12 km. that morning
new meaning that day as I and would be setting out
sat at the feet of the for the village down the
Acharya. He shared with me road early next day. I had Portrait of Acharya Tulsi in calligraphy
insights into the work he driven over 50 km. of dusty roads from Ladnun, and his order were engaged in over the years: the physical headquarters of the sect, expecting reinterpreting the holy scriptures in light of modto be awed by the holy man. Instead I found one ern realities. "They are not very different apart who accepted his karma with unassuming grace. from the words used to describe things," he said.
Acharya Mahapragya took up the mantle as "For instance, our scriptures talk of karma that leader of the Terapanth sect of Jains on the death predetermines your life. Science, calls it genes. of his guru Acharya Tulsi in 1998. Born in 1921 Though faith and reason may appear to be poles in Tamkar, a small village in Rajasthan, Acharya apart, they are not contradictions as they share Mahapragya became a monk at the age of 10. At a common source." the age of 59, he was appointed the successor- He told me about the task of re-examining the designate of the order by his mentor and guru scriptures in light of modern findings, which was Acharya Tulsi.
what he and his followers were busy doing. 1
TH
Acharya Mahapragya
Beacon
of Peace
Having written over 150 books in various subjects, he is credited with rediscovering the lost links
of Preksha Dhyana
TEXT & PHOTOGRAPHS: GUSTASP RANI
VARDHAMAN 16