Vardhaman Book on Jainism

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

Page 22

charya Vidyanand hails from the ancient Indian muni tradition. The Egyptian historians referred to Jain
munis, as zenmosopist. Alexander the Great, on his return from India took with him one such great zenmosopist called Kalyan who later became known as Colonus in Egypt. Even after more than 2300 years, his samadhi can be seen today in Egypt.
Acharya Vidyanand Muniraj was accepted as the undisputed leader of Jains in 1994 on the occasion of the 2500th Nirvan Mahotsava of Bhagwan Mahavir by Acharya Tulsi.
Acharya Vidyanand was born in Shedwal (in Belgaum, Karnataka) on April 22, 1925, in a Upadhyaya family. His father Pandit Kalappa Upadhyaya was a graduate from Syadvad Mahavidyalaya. His mother's name was Saraswati and her son later proved himself to be a true son of Saraswati, the
Acharya Vidyanand
FORGING A NEW IDENTI
A serious student of religion, philosophy and ancient history, and a revered leader amongst Jains, he has now embarked
upon the task of encouraging the use of Prakrit
goddess of knowledge, when he became a serious student of religion, philosophy and ancient history.
He received his early education in Acharya Shantisagar Digambar Jain Gurukul in Shedwal.. In 1946 he received kshullak diksha in Tamagaddi village of Karnataka from Acharya Mahavirkirtiji and was given the name Parshwakirti by his teacher. In 1963, he was given muni diksha and was conferred the munipad in Delhi by Acharya Deshbhushanji and was given the name Vidyanand. In 1974, he was awarded Upadhyayapad by his teacher. In 1978, he became an Elacharya and received the Acharyapad on June 28 1987.
Acharya Vidyanand's religious and spiritual accomplishments have been multi-dimensional. He has propagated the teachings of Jainism on the occasion 200th Parinirvan Mahotsava of Bhagwan Mahavir. He was responsible for bringing the Jain community under one flag through samansuttam which gave a new identity to Jainism.
To mark thousand years of the world famous statue of Bhagwan Bahubali, he organised mangal kalash processions. Organising a gommadgiri function in Indore and bawangajaji in Badwani, speak highly of the creative imagination of Acharya Vidyanand.
He has founded the Kundkund Bharati in Delhi. The Ph.D. (Vidya Varidhi) in Prakrit language awarded by the institution has been recognised by the Government of India. He has also started the quarterly research journal, Prakrit Vidya, to encourage the use of Prakrit.
PANTING OOLRIESY THE KANAKA ART FOUNDATION
VARDHAMAN 22