Vardhaman Book on Jainism

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

Page 19

KNOWLEDGE
unjab has given birth to great saints and ance for more than 14 years. He has proved to seers including Guru Nank and Guru be a tower of knowledge for his followers. Gobind Singh. Great spiritual leaders of According to Acharya Shiv Muni, "One who is
Jainism like Acharya Samrat Amar Singhji, awakened is a muni and one who is sleeping is Acharya Samrat Sohanlalji, Acharya Samrat an amuni. It is the consciousness which raises Kashiramji and Acharya Samrat Atmaramji, have oneself to the status of muni. The one who has originated from Punjab. This pious land is the achieved an egoless state is a muni." birthplace of another great upholder of Jainism - He has made intensive studies of the ancient Acharya Shiv Muni, who has established and in- religious and spiritual scriptures. It was only aftroduced new religious and spiritual norms.
ter years of in-depth research that he came out Born in Malaut Mandi of Fairdkot district in with his book on meditation, Dhyana: A Divya Punjab on September 18, 1942 and named Shiv Sadhana which earned him a D.Litt. Kumar by his parents Chiranji Lal and Vidya Devi, "Dhyana sadhana teaches us the true art of he rose to reach the highest spiritual pinnacle. living in the present moment," says Acharya Shiv He started treading on the path of renunciation Muni. "The one who understands and appreciand penance as taught by Bhagwan Mahavir when ates the present moment is awakened and conhe was 30, in May 1972.
scious. He creates his own future. What has alBy then he had completed his post-graduation ready passed has slipped through his hands but in English and Philosophy and after receiving the present is in his hands. The one who underdiksha, he was awarded a Ph.D. for his research stands this moment is an enlightened person." work on 'Doctrine of Liberation in Indian Religions As rituals gained more importance, dhyana and with special reference to Jainism'. He was the first sadhana did not receive the attention they deto receive this honour among the Sthanak Sadhu served. After Acharya Shiv Muni achieved selfSamaj and perhaps the only
realisation, in order to sadhu to have completed
spread this knowledge, he his Ph.D. in English.
The one who
took the initiative to Acharya Shiv Muni is
organise meditation camps
understands widely travelled and has vis
and personally taught mediited Geneva, Toronto, Ku
and appreciates the tation to the participants. wait, America, etc. to spread
It is said that one who can the tenets of Jainism. present moment is
follow and persuade others After he was conferred awakened and conscious. to follow panchachar is a the status of Yuvacharya at
true Acharya. With his fora grand Sadhu Sammelan in He creates his own future.
midable qualities of uniting Pune by Acharya Samrat What has already passed
and organising, Acharya Shri Anand Rishiji, he en
Shiv Muni is a true Acharya. gaged himself in medita- has slipped through
PANTING COURTESY tion, self-study and penhis hands but
YAUREALA SHARAD PATEL the present is in
19 VARDHAMAN his hands