Acharya Tulsi
The convention that gives a new turn to the history of a religious organisation is in itself the witness of its glory. The present convention has been organized in Delhi by the Intellectual Forum of the Jain Vishva Bharati. This two—day convention on 16 and 17th August 1987 is a unique gathering of its kind not only in the annals of the Terapanth organisation, but also in those of the entire Jain community. Graduates and other specially—trained people are present in our midst. The objective of the Intellectual Forum is to establish direct contact between enlightened and illustrious people. It is most desirable that people endowed with the power of thinking and discrimination should use their talents in the interest of the whole community. An idea originating from any one individual can prove fruitful for all; still another person's proposal may serve to resolve some big problem faced by the entire community. Society derives solid support from individual contributions of time and labour from its members. In these circumstances, it is the moral responsibility of every man to transcend individual and family limitations and exercise his powers in a wider sphere.
It is necessary that the intelligentsia of the Terapanth community keep themselves acquainted with the policies and programmes of their religious organisation. Many people engaged in business and education, are not able to establish a direct contact with the religious organisation and are therefore not acquainted with the latest developments here. Their ideas suggestions are not available in time and the community thus stands deprived of their rich experience. Nor are they able to seek timely guidance for themselves. The mind gets confused due to idle gossip, and its illusions and misunderstandings can only be removed through face to face contact. From this point—of—view, the meeting of the intelligentsia of the community and a free exchange of ideas should open a new dimension in relationship.
Times has always been very favourable to the Terapanth religious organisation. During the past 227 years, initiatives taken from time to time have served to enhance its glory, raising it to greater heights. And our society today is once again on the threshold of a new adventure. Keen desires for enterprising work in the field of meditation, education and research has become manifest and a number of institutions have been set up in this connection. The responsibility for increasing the efficiency of these institutions devolves upon the intelligentsia. We need not only intellectuals but highly intelligent men and women to make up our cadre of workers—workers who are energetic, free from all kinds of addictions, and who are not seeking any power, wealth, position or prestige for themselves, workers who are endowed with right vision and fearless thought and who have sufficient courage and enthusiasm for implementing any programme that has been decided upon, workers who, besides being capable, are also totally dedicated, and who are inspired by an ardent longing to work for the all-round development of their religious organisation. It is desirable that a class of such workers comes to the fore and they in turn determinedly work to train a new class of workers after them.
One generation of our community has been looking after the laity. It has been performing its duties with great devotion. But the prospect of a void calls for serious deliberation, is our younger generation in a position to take the place of the old? Is it ready to shoulder high responsibilities? Will it give first to the community instead of the family? If not, who will sure the continuity of so many undertakings? What strong Hinds will be available to open new avenues of development? The Intellectual Forum will have to find an answer to these questions.
It is the good fortune of the Tarapanth religious organisation that it has in hand some extensive, human programmes. There is the Anuvrata movement, for instance, for making man conscious of his humanity. This movement has attracted Lakhs of people. Indeed, it has become the basis of our distinctive individality. In this situation, if the highly intelligent people of the community remain unacquainted with the Anuvrata programme, it would be like the proverb, "The nearer the Church, the farther from God!" To allay the darkness of ignorance, and to make Anuvrata, not only a country—wide, but a world-wide programme is the responsibility of the intelligentsia.
A large part of our community is engaged in money making activities.Money is an essential requirement of family life. None can do without it. But money is not everything. A really fruitful life has other objectives, too. To ignore these objectives and to blindly join the rat race for money can only result in the degeneration of society. At least, the enlightened section of the community should be very conscious of it. Administration, philosophy, science, literature, etc. —there are a number of virgin fields to be explored. To keep pace with the march of time, no useful field of work can afford to be totally cut off from society. The people who achieve excellence in various fields of work, at the same time exalt their community to heights of grandeur. In order to exalt society to heights of glory, it is essential to remove social incongruities. The use of creative talent in resolving the problems generated by social incongruities can prove very fruitful indeed.
When l sees thousands of highly intelligent men and women in the Terapanth community, my heart is filled with pride. But when I see that these intelligent people are all swayed by one same current, and moving in one direction, l am filled anxiety. If this anxiety provokes some serious thought with a View to arriving at certain radical change in our society.
The present conference of intellectuals has been convened with all these issues in mind. Many years ago, I dreamed a dream. That this dream has been realised to some extent, makes me happy.
For the Terapanth community it is a unique occasion. To reap full benefit thereof, we must utilize each minute at our disposal. It would be supreme moment when the intellectuals of our community, filled with new energy and light, charged with a new determination, March ahead in a new direction. It is not only my hope, but my firm belief that this initiative will infuse a new consciousness and new enthusiasm in the Terapanth community.
