Swami Dharmananda
Ludhiyana, 05.05.2006
“The Compassion, purity of heart and spiritual practices of Acharya Mahaprajna are supreme,” Acharya Dr. Shivamuni said at the occasion of the auspicious and historical meeting between the propagator of Ahimsa Yatra and Head of Terapanth Dharam Sangh Acharya Mahaprajna and Sthanakvasi Shraman Sangh's Acharya Dr. Shivamuni. Their meeting was remarkable. They had fruitful discussions during the meeting on very important national problems and on strengthening the unity of all Jains. They also had taken some decisions in this direction.
Acharya Dr. Shivamuni (l), head of Stanakh Vasi Sect, having conversation with Acharyashree Mahaprajna
Meeting of Acharya Mahapragya and Acharya Dr. Shivmuni with their disciples.
Yuvacharya Mahashraman and other monks gave a befitting welcome when Acharya Dr. Shivamuni arrived at Atma Public School where Acharya Mahaprajna was staying. Acharya Shivamuni also stayed for two days in the school. During his stay there, both Acharyas had talked many times on different topics.
Ludhiyana, 06.05.2006
Yuvacharyashree Mahashramanji started the joint programme of the great Acharyas with Mahamantra Namokar and Mahavirastakam sang by Samanijis. Many speakers paid their respect to the Acharyas with great reverence. Many Munis and Sadhvis of Sthanakvasi Shraman Sangh, the follower of Tarakrishi sect participated in the programme.
Acharya with Sadhvishrees of Stanakh Vasi Sangha presenting books to H. H. Acharya Mahaprajna
On this occasion, the Uppravratak Munishree Suyogarishiji, Upadhyashree Ravindra Muniji, and Upadhyashree Jitendramuniji expressed their views. Samani Mukhya Niyojika Sadhvi Vishrutvibha said that the meeting of the two great Acharyas would bring out definitely some new directions in Jain Unity. As this day was also the birthday of Yuvacharyashree Mahashramanji, she said his personality, his politeness and total surrender to H.H. Acharya Mahaprajna is an inspiration to all.
Yuvacharya Mahashraman started his sermon with Canonical Jain Sutra AAYATULE PAYASU, which means to take everybody as the own soul. The behaviour we do not like should not be shown towards others. Where there is non-violence and the equality of souls emerges, the unity automatically happens. He further said, “Acharya Shivamuni came here yesterday, and both the Acharyas had long discussions. The most important issue is actually to spread the Jain philosophy. Jain Vishva Bharati is working in this direction. This institution has brought us closer together. It is a great matter of satisfaction to see the spreading of the thought of Jain Unity.
Many speakers have given me their congratulations. It is my good luck that I had the opportunity to have the blessings and the guidance of H.H. Acharya Mahaprajna. We should jointly serve the Jain Shasan and use our energy for the benefit of humanity.”
Acharya Dr. Shivamuni said in his sermon, “Religion is not attached to any caste or creed.The base of religion is not the intellect, but the purity of the heart. Our base is the teaching of Lord Mahavira. Mahavira had special Sadhana, penance, and meditation.
I pay my special respect to Acharya Mahaprajna and his teachings, his compassion, purity of heart and Sadhana. Mahatma Gandhi had spread the message of non-violence propagated by Lord Mahavira: After that, Acharya Mahaprajna has raised it high again. He is showing the path of non-violence and peace to the world. We should all cooperate in this great endeavour.”
Acharya Mahaprajna said, “Every useful effort would show useful result. Useless efforts would show no result. When the yoghurt is churned, it comes out better. However, when this is done with other substances, the effort becomes useless. I am hearing the sound of Jain unity from the last seventy years. There had been many efforts in the past. I feel that it is difficult to achieve unity on the ritualistic, practical, and hereditary aspect. I wish that for the unity of Jains we should have one Jain platform. I have decided the following five guidelines:
- To protect the existence of Jain Religion
- To protect the existence of Jain society
- To protect the Agamas and other important literature
- To develop amity and co-operation among the Jain sects
- Planning should be made to spread the message of Mahavira on the world level
On instruction of Acharya Mahaprajna, Yuvacharya Mahashraman presented the language of the Development Munch as follows:
JAIN VIKAS MUNCH
Then Acharya Mahaprajna continued, “The unity of Jains has been pending from a long time. The point of unity was to celebrate Samvatsari on the same day. In this point, there has not been any progress. Today we should think on it with a new viewpoint. We should put the Jain unity in a larger context. For that, Jain Vikas Munch is needed. We should think over this Munch, express our views and give acceptance to it.
All Jain Sanghs follow their own line; there should not be any interference in it. There should be deep thinking on the problems combining upliftment and development of Jain Shasan, the problems for existence of Jain Shasan and Jain society. We should try to solve them. To evaluate the progress of Jain Vikas Munch it is necessary that the Acharya or their representatives should meet from time to time, sit together, think together, and implement the decisions taken there.”
Acharya Mahaprajna further said, “We had a cordial meeting with Acharya Shivamuni with had good discussions, and we have taken a concrete step.”