Mount Kailash In All Its Glory

In fact, when Gautamswami enquired of Bhagwan that all other disciples were being enlightened and he was not, Bhagwan advised him to go on pilgrimage to Ashtapadji and he would be assured of enlightenment in his present life.

Both the Jain Agams and the scriptures refer to   Ashtapadji and Maansarovar, the highest lake in the world that never freezes, with considerable reverence.

The changing landscape through the millennia that have passed, the remote location, the difficult and often hazardous access and finally international borders have kept Jains away from their principal tirth for many centuries.

In 2009, Param Pujya Bhaishree, the spiritual guide and leader of the Raj Saubhag Satsang Mandal, attended the inauguration   of a model of Ashtapadji in New Yorks Jinalay at Queens. This included pratmajis of the 24 tirththankars and Guru Gautamswami instructing 1500 hermits how to ascend Ashtapadji. Having heard the history of Ashtapadji was greatly inspired to undertake the pilgrimage there and had quietly been planning for it since then.

In August 2011, he led a party of 92 of his followers on this magnificent Kailash Maansarovar yatra. It was a group of mixed abilities, with ages ranging from 20 to almost 80 however all were armed with the absolute determination to follow their Guru on this quest., It is known that the original Ashtapadji was in the vicinity of Mount Kailash  and presently there is a smaller mountain next to Kailash named Ashtapadji.

This was a historic Yatra:

Firstly it was for the first time in recorded history that such a large contingent of Jains under the leadership of their Guru had undertaken such a Yatra. The group had reached Maansarovar at an altitude of 4.750m late in the evening.    The strain of a day-long ride melted away at the first sight of the serene Maansarovar and the breath-taking Kailash. The mountain shone pure and white, ethereal and enchanting, towering and yet benign.

Secondly, an Ashtaprakari puja with idols of Jain Tirthankars that took place next morning on the shores of Maansarovar, at an altitude of 4,750m followed by a ceremonial veneration of Ashtapadji Tirth had never been done previously .

This puja was conducted with five Jain idols – two of Lord Rishabhdev and one each of Lords Munisuvrat, Parsavanath, and Mahavir in a small marquee. The radiant idols were brought to the site amid rousing cheer and singing and installed by P.P. Bhaishree to the accompaniment of bhakti.  All members participated enthusiastically in each of the pujas read by Br. Vikrambhai - jal puja, chandan puja, pushp puja, dhoop puja, deep puja, akshat puja, phal puja and naivaidya puja. This was followed by aarti and mangal divo

Procession to the Puja Site

The puja was part of a three-day Aradhna Shibir which included meditation sessions and swadhyays on the significance of Ashtapadji.  Jain scriptures give pride of place to Ashtapadji. Suyagdang Sutra confirms that Lord Rishabhdev gave deshna here. Uttaraadhyayan Sutra calls Ashtapadji the pinnacle of all Jain tirths. Lord Mahavir has reiterated in Mahavir Chariyam that the yatra to Ashtapadji, if done with atmashakti, brings one liberation.

Puja In Progress

Two books in particular were referred to by Param Pujya Bhaishree in his swadhyays,  ‘Ashtapad Tirth ni Bhavyatra’ and ‘Rishabh Panchashika’ by Muni Hitvardhanvijayji both of which include vivid description of Ashtapadji in Bhagwan’s times and give references to Agams.

Maansarovar with Vivid Colours

We were at this  highest lake in the world, soaking in the spiritual vibrations of a highly revered mountain and offering our respects to Lord Rishabhdev with abiding devotion and faith. The grandeur and greatness of Ashtapadji was spiritually empowering, inspiring us to make offerings through a puja not performed for many a century.

After the Puja on Ashtapadji

Param Pujya Bhaishree then led a group of 68 followers on a three day parikrama (circumbulation) of Mt Kailash taking them up to altitudes of 6000m plus. In this arduous journey, all kinds of weathers were encountered from blizzards to hail storms to scorching hot sun and blinding rain. However, everyone returned safely, fortified by their faith and a strengthened devotion.

Pursuing spiritual practices in a conducive environment is easy. At Maansarovar, climatic changes and acclimatisation issues can make things difficult. These  problems, however, were easily overpowered by the magnetic aura of the place and the grace of our guru. All we had to do was drop our resistance and to let the atmosphere seep into our being. Soon, the gusty winds, chilly nights or low oxygen levels were not an obstacle for us.

P. P Bhaishree’s gentle presence belies his overwhelming strength which in turn made it feasible for us to enrich our spiritual moorings and to not be affected by the physical reality of our surroundings.

The external discomforts experienced at high altitudes are in fact a reality check, testing our readiness as sadhaks. As P.P Bhaishree said pertinently, the natural bounty in full evidence around us is a reflection of the wonder and joy that is within us and that is all that really matters.

We were filled with awe, at being part of this historic happening, wonder,  at being able to withstand the hostile weather without a hurdle, happiness, at the energy that seemed to possess our spirits and gratitude, for the grace that flowed from P.P. Bhaishree and the divine spirits that enveloped the place.

The spell cast by nature in the luxuriant realms of Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet endures. It was indeed a journey to the abode of the gods and a dip into the divinity of our souls enabled by our benefactor, P. P Bhaishree. In his loving care and sanctum, we nurse our spiritual dreams knowing that he enables us to understand what is truly ours

This article is being published in the earnest hope that other Jain groups will be inspired to go on a pilgrimage to this majestic tirth and  revive the significance it held during Bhagwan Mahavir’s time.  Further details of the Yatra at www.rajsaubhag.org

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His last rites were performed on  the afternoon of Tuesday 9^th august in Tapovan Vidyapeeth of Amiyapur village near Gandhinagar. His palkhi yatra (cortege) started from  Vasupujya upashray and passed through Dharnidhar, Vasna, Paldi and Sabarmati en route to Tapovan

He was a leading Jain monk as well as an accomplished scholar and an orator. He had authored over 250 books on a variety of subject. His discourses attracted many thousands.

He was an ardent believer in Jain way of life and promoted the preservation of Indian cultural heritage vigorously.  He was opposed to the British education system and had founded the Tapovan Vidyapeeth near Navsari to offer an alternative education in Indian style. Tens of thousands of Jain and non-Jain children have received their education there in totally the Indian tradition.

His main contribution was in promoting the Indian culture and awareness of Jain philosophy amongst the He had organised a numerous youth and created channels for linking the youth with the dharma. He had created youth groups for specific tasks like teaching of the correct dharma, provide humanitarian services, promote animal welfare and environmental protection.  These groups were known as Vir Sainik Dal, Sanskruti Rakshan Dal etc  and most Jains worldwide have benefited in one way or other through their services.

Shree Chandrashekhar Vijyaji Maharaj was born in the wealthy family of Ray bahadur Jivatlal Pratapsinh Radhanpurvala  with his father Kantilal and mother Shubhdraben. He was named Indravadan. Shri Premsuri Maharaj Saheb  as his guru gave him the vows of diksha when we was 18 in Mumbai. He also has a sister who also took diksha and is known as Mahanandashriji.

It is to him that we owe the gratitude for having all slaughter houses in Gujarat closed during the eight days of Paryushan. He had convinced the late Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shree Chimanbhai Patel to pass this law though he would be upsetting a large section of his voters. He had also successfully motivated the movement to stall expansion of Mumbai’s Devnar slaughter house.

Maharaj Saheb had a large following in the community and he gave diksha to 87 disciples.

Jain community will certainly miss this fiery but charismatic orator and forthright speaker of his mind. We pray that his atma stays on an ascending path to the ultimate liberation and attains inner peace and eternal bliss.

Om Shanti! Om Shanti! Om Shanti!

Credit: Content Drawn from DeshGujarat.com

India’s abundant treasure of ancient manuscripts lie in libraries, institutions and universities unread and uncatalogued because of the lack of manuscriptologists. It is estimated that there are over ten million manuscripts in India with additional 150,000 Indian manuscripts in Eastern Asia and over 60,000 in various countries in Europe.

Gujarat alone is estimated to have almost two million manuscripts. Of the ten million in India so far only 1.5 million have been listed and catagorised – no records have been created for the rest.

For the first time ever in Gujarat, three institutions, Institute of Jainology (UK & India) (IoJ), Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (Pune) (BORI) and Shree Mahavira Jain Aradhna Kendra  (Koba) (MJAK) joined hands to provide a 15 day certificated Manuscriptology course in reading ancient languages and composing books on manuscripts.

The course was held in the auditorium of Gujarat Vishwakosh Bhavan It  comprised of teaching the understanding of the principles of Manuscriptology and then practical training in studying the manuscripts. 35 students were participating in the course. Over 30 scholars and experts in Manuscriptology both from and outside Gujarat gave talks on a variety of related subjects to the course participants.

Opening Session: L to R: Shree Bapte, Dr K Desai, Dr M Dhanki, Dr Pandaya,Shree M Shah, Dr D Shah, Dr K Shah

The course was declared open by Adarniya Shree Shrenikbhai Kasturbhai. Padmabhushan Dr Madhusudan  was the Chief Guest and he emphasised the importance of this subject for preserving our rich cultural heritage for the future generations. Also present at the opening ceremony were Shree Maitriya Deshpande, Padmashree Kumarpal Desai, Shree Mukeshbhai
Shah, Shree Dhanvant Shah, Shree Kanubhai Shah and Shree Shreenand Bapte who also addressed the invited guests and participants.

Mr Shreenand Bapte Lighting the Auspicious Lamp

The participants were given a two day practical training identifying and categorising the manuscripts using part of the vast collection of manuscripts at the Achgarya Kailashsuri Gnanmandir in Mahavir Jain Aradhna Kendra, Koba. This Koba institution made a generous offer of employing any student who qualified in Manuscriptology course. The Mumbai Jain Yuvak Sangh made a symbolic donation of Rs 11,000 with an assurance to donate more in the future to sustain the momentum achieved with the first course. Other institutions working in the Manuscriptology field also welcomed the program and assured their full support for the future development of this types of courses.

The main organisers for the course were Shree Nemu Chandaria and Dr Kumarpal Desai from IoJ, Mr Maitriya Deshpande and Mr Shreenand Bapte from BORI and Mr Mukeshbhai Shah and Kanubhai  Patel of MJAK.

The 15 day course was closed on 3^rd July by Dr Dhirubhai Thakkar, the founder of Gujarat Vishwakosh Project and a Scholar of Gujarati Literature. In his closing remarks he expressed pleasure at seeing so many male and female participants in the course and reiterated the earlier comments of the manuscripts being our great cultural heritage. He said we can view the future with confidence that our vast treasures of manuscripts will be well managed.

Course Organisers & Course Tutors

In their closing remarks, the three heads of the institutions also made their observations. Mr Deshpande of BORI said their institution is 97 years old but yet they had learnt a lot from the Institutions in Gujarat.
Dr Kumarpal Desai expressed great pleasure at seeing other institutions participating actively in the project. He went on to say that now the publications on books on manuscripts will be commenced and scholarships will be awarded to those writing thesis on the subject of Manuscriptology.

Mr B Vijay Jain of MJAK said that their collection of over 200,000 manuscripts far exceeds any other collection in India and this course has given them the vision for the future.

Amongst the invited guests at the closing ceremony, Prof Kantibhai Shah, Dr Ramjibhai Sanvalia and Dr Vijay Pandya also expressed their views. Course tutors, Prof Pinky Pandya, Nalini Brambhat and Rajvi Oza also expressed their opinions.

Future course of action was outlined as arranging of workshop/seminars at the participating institutions providing intensive training to the students . The subjects to be taught will be transcription of the ancient scripts, composing books on manuscripts and preservation of manuscripts. Syllabuses for the three courses will be arranged for students, teachers and scholars.

Group Photo of Participating Students

Dr Dhirubhai Thakker Presenting a Course Certificate

Dr Maitriya Pandya Presenting a Course Certificate

The award comprises of Rs100,000 in cash, an Award Memento and ‘Shaal’.

Gujarat Literary Academy announced the award of this much coveted ’Pride of Literary Writers Award’ to Dr Kumarpal Desai a well known author and a journalist of repute. Dr Desai has received numerous awards to date for his skills in literary and cultural fields but this award crowns them all.

Currently, he is the President of Gujarat’s Literary Conference, Past President of Gujarati Literary Assembly, Vice President of Gujarat Education Conference and a Trustee of the Institute of Jainology.
He is a Trustee at Gujarat Vishwakosh Trust. In addition to this he has been providing invaluable services to a large number of institutions, organisations and literary societies in a variety of ways.

Dr Desai has researched on literature from middle ages and helped with their publication. He has been described as the sculptor of literature with sharp, exciting and descriptive language.  He has written striking stories, articles with inspiring guidance to good moral life style. He has been a regular contributor to Gujarat Samachar and other leading Gujarati papers for over half a century.

He has to his name large number of children’s publications. He is a leading guide and advisor for budding literary writers and those entering the profession of journalism. He is not only the pioneer but also the main driver of the work being done at Gujarat Vishwakosh Trust over last twenty five years.

Through the offices of the Institute of Jainology, he has written numerous papers and articles on Jain philosophical principles help spread the understanding of that philosophy in Gujarat, India and internationally.

His mild mannered and humble personality, a ready smile and willingness to help adores the literary and cultural sectors and can be described as the pride of the Pride of Literary Writer’s Award. That award was given out on 9^th July at Thakorbhai Desai Hall in Ahmedabad.

The Institute conveys its congratulations to Dr Desai on being given this award and at the same time expresses pride and joy at having him as its trustee in India.

The Charles Wallace India Trust (CWIT) is an arts, heritage conservation and humanities fund t offering scholarships to Indians in early or middle stages of their careers to spend time in the UK, helping them to achieve their artistic, professional or academic ambitions and make wider international contacts.

Background:

Charles Wallace was born in Calcutta in 1855. He lived, worked and flourished there, founding the Shaw Wallace company ( though there are no connections between CWIT and the contemporary Shaw Wallace).Charles Wallace died in 1916, bequeathing his modest fortune to his family for a generation and then for the benefit of those among whom he had made it.

In 1981, following an agreement between the Indian and British governments, CWIT was established as an English charity. It is run by four trustees with one of them nominated by the British Council. The trustees cover CWIT’s main areas of interest, They are Ingval Maxwell, Dr Yasmin Khan, Caroline Douglas and British Council’s nominee, Colin Perchard. The Secretary is Richard Alford.

Since establishment just under thirty years ago, CWIT has made some 2500 grants. British Council India can advise and give more details on CWIT’s work and gives administrative support including guidance on applying for a visa.

CWIT’s recent annual reports and accounts, including lists of scholarships and grants given, can be seen on the Charity Commission’s web site www.charity-commission.gov.uk

Applications are now open for the 2011-12 awards.

The various awards offered by the Charles Wallace India Trust are:

Fully Funded Awards in the arts and heritage conservation

Visiting Fellowships of 2-3 months duration, fully funded

Grants towards the cost of Short Research or Professional visits and Scottish Universities International Summer School . These do not cover full costs

Grants towards the cost of the penultimate or final year of Doctoral Study at a UK university

The deadline for applications is Tuesday 16 November, 2010 (31 December 2010 for Short Research and Professional Visits)

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Link:http://www.britishcouncil.org/india-scholarships-cwit.htm

Email:cwit@in.britishcouncil.org

Information Courtesy : Manish Modi

One such article, discussing in depth the need to develop the studies for the ancient manuscripts held in various collections in India appeared in a well reputed and recognised Gujarati magazine , ‘Navchetan’ which started publication 89 years ago. This article, in Gujarati is attached in pdf format: Navchetan-1 .

The article strongly advocates establishment of Manuscriptology courses in universities to be followed by establishing specialised faculties. Our Institute will be encouraging the establishment of such course through its various contacts.

It is a matter of pride for the Institute to have its India Co-ordinator described ‘treasury of knowledge and information on Jain philosophy and Jain society.   His various skills in the fields of philosophy, research, journalism and literary writer have been explored in the interview. His tremendous oratory skills stand out as unique amongst the Gujarati Jains.

The full interview in Gujarati is detailed in the attached article that can be downloaded using Adobe Reader.   Jain-World Article on Dr Kumarpal Desai

Event Banner

Institue of Jainology, London and Ahmedabad in conjunction with Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institue, Pune had organized a three day seminar on Manuscriptology from 1st to 3rd August at Vishwakosh Bhavan,  Ahmedabad.

This was a first ever seminar organized in India on Manuscriptology attended by both professionals and students of the subject. Over 230 professionals and students attended the seminar.

Prof. Dipti Tripathi, Director of the National Mission for Manuscripts, New Delhi inaugurated the seminar with an opening addressed. She started by commending  Mr Nemu Chandaria OBE and Padmashree Dr Kumarpal Desai to have conceived the idea of this seminar at a national level. It was sure to inspire more research work

Dr. Maitreyee Deshpande - Hon. Secretary of Bhandarkar Oriental Lights the Dip whilst Director Prof Tripathi Look on

She emphasized the need for research in manuscriptlogy as we need to understand the rich heritage from our ancestors.

She also expressed concern that there was very little research on ways of conserving the manuscripts.  Modern technology has enabled many conservation methods but no research has been undertaken seriously.

Both the Government and the private institutes have funding available to offer financial assistance and scholarship but sadly the researchers have not come forward to take this opportunity.

She was of the opinion that such seminars would certainly help bring about a deeper understanding of the subject and inspire interest in studying the manuscripts and also undertake research on manuscript conservation.

She concluded with commending the Institute of Jainology once again for the initiative and assured it and other Institutes that if they had proper infrastructure to promote such activities, financial assistance will certainly be available from the Government. In her conclusion she also referred to the work done by the Institute in creating an excellent catalogue of the manuscripts held in the British Library collection and the JAINpedia project to make the rare manuscripts accessible to lay people.

Officials Including Director Prof Tripathi on the Podium

The first session of the seminar was opened by Dr. Sudha Gopalakrishnan the former Director of the National Mission for Manuscripts.  In her talk she suggested that manuscriptology as a subject should be included in the University curriculum and appealed to the professors present in the audience to take this message home.
In the sessions that followed, there were 24 prominent speakers from Departments of History, Languages, and Philosophy from various leading universities. All were very enthusiastic to have had an opportunity to attend such a seminar and expressed their agreement to increase the level of both the studies and research in the subject of manuscriptology.

Several Heads of various departments at universities and institutes agreed to make available to both students and research graduates the photocopies of the MSS for research in Jain Agam, Religion, Art, History, Civilization, Medicine, Sculpture and so on.
It was very pleasing to note that new subjects in Manuscriptology were introduced by three MSS experts in the field, namely Dr. Niranjan Rajyaguru, Dr. Balwant Jani, and Dr. Mohyuddin Bombaywala.  The three new subjects were:
(1) Sant Sahitya: Manuscripts Research and Editing
(2) Charani Sahityani Hastaprato.
(3) Farasi Hastaprato: Sanshodhan and Sampadan

Some of the Audience

Dr. Kumarpal Desai and Shri Nemubhai Chandaria, Trustees of the Institute of Jainology announced the availability of a scholarship for post graduate research in MSS.

They also announced a competition to encourage the students attending the seminar to study and write on what had been discussed and proposed in the seminar.

The Institute can take justifiable pride in having not only pioneered fundamental research in the subject of Manuscriptology by having created the catalogue of British Library collection but also inspired further studies and research in to the rich heritage in India of the ancient manuscripts.

ACHARYASHRI MAHAPRAGYA

(14TH JUNE 1920 – 9TH MAY 2010)

HEAD OF THE JAIN SHVETAMBARA TERAPANTH SANGH

Acharya Mahapragya, the 10th Acharya  (sage) and supreme head of the Jain Swetambar Terapanth community, died following a cardiac arrest at Sardarshahar in Churu district of Rajasthan on Sunday 9, May, 2010. He was 90.

Acharyashri was appointed as the head of the Jain Shvetambara Terapanth Sangh by his guru, Acharya Tulsi on 18th February, 1994 and in a formal ceremony in Delhi on 5th February, 1995 he was pronounced as the tenth Acharya of the Sangh.
A giant personality in his own right, it is impossible to describe him in words.

Acharya Mahapragya was born as son Nath Mal to father Tola Ram Choradia and mother Balu ji in Tamkor, a village in Rajasthan, India, on 14th June, 1920.
Within weeks of his birth, he lost his father and was raised by his mother.
There was no school in the village and Nath Mal did not receive any formal education.

Even at a very young age, Nath Mal was deeply impressed by the personality of Acharya Shri Kalu Ram and on 29th January, 1931 Acharya Shrimad Kalu Ram initiated him as a disciple of Acharya Tulsi at the tender age of ten.  The effectiveness of Guru Shishya parampara in Indian tradition is reflected by the wisdom of Acharya Mahapragya ji in that without any formal schooling he has mastered subjects such as History, Philosophy, Logic, Grammar, Physics, Ayurveda, Politics, Economics, and Social sciences.  He is not only an author but also a poet, and that too in diverse languages such as Hindi, Prakrit and Sanskrit.

Muni Nath Mal, by his devotion established an incomparable rapport with his Guru, Acharyashri Tulsi and in return was recognised as extraordinary.   Their relationship can be gauged from the following events:

·    In 1955 Acharyashri Tulsi nominated Muni Nath Mal as the Chief Secretary of the Terapanth organisation.

·    On 4th February, 1979 he was appointed successor-designate to Acharya Tulsi and was given the title of Yuvacharya Mahapragya.

·    On 18th February 1994 Achary Tulsi relinquished his post and Yuvacharya Mahapragya became Acharya Mahapragya.  With a holy ceremony in Delhi on 5th February, 1995 he was formally pronounced as the tenth Acharya of the Terapanth Sangh.

Acharya Mahapragya is also the torch bearer of some of the most successful projects initiated by Acharya Tulsi:

·    Anuvrat Movement

Acharya Tulsi launched the Anuvrat Movement in Sardarshahar on March 1, 1949.  In April 1950, it exceeded all expectations when thousands of people of different religious following recited the lesser vows to live a mindful and aware daily life.  The movement is universal and has no relation to any particular sect or religion.  It is a way of life to improve one’s own quality of life as well as to harmonise living with all living beings.  Its relevance to contemporary times can be understood from the small vows to protect the environment and to avoid waste, misuse and pollution of nature.

Since its inception, Acharya Mahapragya ji has made it popular not only in India, but world-wide.  An example is the Golden Jubilee of the movement celebrated in Nepal.  Anuvrat Global Movement [ANUVIBHA] is now a dedicated organisation under the patronage of Acharya Shri Mahapragya and the first vow it administers is AHIMSA.

Preksha Dhyan

Acharya Tulsi initiated the question on the disappearance of meditation in Jainism after the time of Bhagavan Mahavira and assigned the task to investigate this phenomenon to Acharya Shri Mahapragya ji.

Acharya Mahapragya ji spent over 20 years studying the Jain Agams/Scriptures and concluded a system of Meditation which is now popularly known as Preksha Dhyana.

Preksha Dhyan is a non-sectarian system of meditation which has spiritual as well as physical well being as its benefit.  It is complimentary to the Anuvrat movement in that its practice makes the observation of the vows a matter of routine without any special efforts.

For his efforts in this task, Acharya Tulsi gave him the epithet of Jain-Yoga-Punruddharak (Resurrector of Jain Yoga).

Acharya Mahapragya ji’s most recognised contribution to AHIMSA is in the seven year journey he undertook to quell the communal violence which erupted in India between Hindus and Muslims.  Ahimsa Yatra, as it was named, was launched on 5th December, 2001 at Sujangarh in Rajasthan. with the objective to highlight the spiritual aspect of non-violence and spread the message of peace and harmony across the country.

He traversed over 10,000 km on foot, covering 2400 villages, towns and cities and addressed many public meetings during the yatra.

In February, 2002, as if Ahimsa Yatra was destined to be the forerunner of its own mission, communal violence broke out in Gujarat and its ugly aftermath influenced most states of India.

Addressing a gathering at a village in Gujrat Acharya Shri said, “Only that country becomes strong whose citizens know the way to control their emotions. No country can emerge powerful without peaceful coexistence, and it is impossible for a country to ensure peaceful co-existence of its people without restraint and discipline. Some people are educated into communal and caste frenzy. The frenzied state of their minds gives rise to an anti-social environment. The government tries to resist it through its might, but it is the duty of the citizens to see that the hooligans do not convert it into communal frenzy. ………”

Touched and inspired by these efforts of Acharyashri, the President of India, Dr. Abdul Kalam met him ignoring all protocol. Similarly, the deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani, Congress President and Leader, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, the supreme of RSS, Sh. K.C. Sudarshan travelled to Gujarat and met Acharyashree to discuss the adoption of Ahimsa as a national policy.  The famous Surat Spiritual Declaration of Unity of Minds was signed by 20 leaders from all different faiths of India and presented to Dr Kalam on 15th October, 2003.

Acharyashri moved from state to state, convinced multi-faith congregations to accept four principles in their lives:
1. I will believe in human unity.
2. I will not resort to quarrels and conflicts on the basis of caste and sectarian issues.
3. I will try to follow integrity in my personal life as far as I can.
4. I will try to remain free from drug addiction.

Having contributed in abundance to the elevation of universal Jain principles through his speeches, writings and founding inspirational organisations to teach and spread the word of Lord Mahavir, Acharyashri breathed his last on Sunday, 9th May, 2010 at Sardarshahar, Churu District, Rajasthan, India at 2:50 pm.

Prominent among the awards given to him during his lifetime were the Mother Teresa national award of peace (2005), Union Government’s communal harmony award (2004), Ambassador of Peace Award in London (2003), Lokmaharishi by Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (2003) Indira Gandhi National Integration Award (2002) and the Ahimsa Award (2008) by the Institute of Jainology.

Institute of Jainology with all its Directors, Patrons, and well-wishers presents their respects to the great soul with sadhuvada and anumodanas.

The end of one era is always the beginning of another.  We welcome the appointment of Yuvacharya Mahashraman as the 11th Acharya of the Sangh and expect no less than all that has been delivered traditionally by the past Acharya.

Om Shanti! Shanti!! Shanti!!!