An Introduction To Terapanth: [30] Jain Vishva Bharati: An Academy of Oriental Learning

The Jain Vishva Bharati was established in 1970, under the able guidance of Acharya Shri Tulsi. It is located at Ladnun, a small township of District Nagpur in Rajasthan. During the last three decades, this organization has grown into a vast and beautiful tapovan. It is full of greenery and gardens, amidst which several buildings for different activities have been constructed.

The aim of this institution is to carry out different activities related to non-violence and peace. It is one of the best achievements during the period of Acharya Shri Tulsi’s leadership, being a central and vital institute for spiritual guidance as well as for the teaching of Jain philosophy and ethics. There are mainly seven types of activities. They are as follows:

Jain Vishva Bharati has made a considerable progress in the field of education. In addition to the Jain Vishva Bharati Institute (Deemed) University, a college by the name of Brahmi Vidhya Pith exists for Mumuksu sisters and Samanis.

In addition, an English Medium school is run for children.

In 1991, the Jain Vishva Bharati Institute was recognized by the central government and U.G.C. as a deemed university. Mumukshu sisters, Samans, Samanis, monks and nuns, after graduation from Brahmi Vidya Pith, carry on their further studies in this university. It is also open to lay community.

There are five teaching departments of post graduate-studies, viz.

1. The Department of Jainology and Comparative Studies of Philosophy and Relgion.
2. The Department of Prakrit and Agamic Studies.
3. The Department of Science of Living (Sol), Preksha Meditation and Yoga.
4. The Department of Non-violence and peace research.
5. The Department of Social work.

Each department offers both M.A. and Ph.D. Degrees.

Moreover, a number of diploma and certificate courses are also being offered by this University in the regular mode and distance education mode in multiple subjects of different disciples. An under-graduate College for girls and a Teacher’s training College for girls are also run by the University.

Anekanta Shodha Pitha is research center of South Asian Studies with emphasis on the study of jainology. The Jain Vishva Bharati also sponsors numerous research projects - for example, Jain Cyclopedic Dictionary of Technical Terms of Jain Agamas is currently being prepared. A small but excellent library with more than 50,000 books serves the student’s research needs. The Research Journal Tulsi Prajna is published from this center.

The programmes of meditation, yoga and other forms of sadhana are taught at Tulsi Adhyatma Nidam. A great number of persons from India and abroad and from all walks of life have been trained here and at other affiliated meditation centers throughout India. A monthly “Preksha Dhyana” is a regular publication from the center.

The Seva Bhavi Kalyan Kendra is an Ayurvedic Department of JVB. It is a center of research in Ayurveda. There is a dispensary for the free treatment of patients wherein about 700 persons are treated daily and almost 300 types of Ayurvedic medicines are manufactured in the pharmacy.

The department of  Shramana Sanskriti Sankaya runs the activity of Jain studies throughout the nation. By conducting courses and holding yearly examinations and approximately seven thousands take part. This department also conducts certificate courses in Jainology through correspondence.

Jain International is one of the department of Jain Vishva Bharati which is set up in order to organize international activities related to Jainism. It organizes tours of Samanas and Samanis to travel abroad and spread the message of non-viloence. So far, they have visited Canada, Hongkong, England, Finland, Itlay, Japan, Switzerland, Poland, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, U.S.A., U.S.S.R., Germany and many other countries. A monthly newsletter on their activities is circulated from this department and sent overseas.

The Jain Vishva Bharati is actively involved in publication of educational materials on Jain Studies and books of Jain Philosophy, specially the canonical literature. More than 400 titles have alreadry been published till now.

Acharya Bhikshu was the founder of Terapantha Sangha and Acharya Mahaprajna is the present Acharya in this esteemed line of Acharyas. The intermediate Acharyas viz. Bharmalji, Raichandji, Jitmalji, Magharaji, Manaklalji, Dalchandji, Kaluganiji and Tulsiganiji had made important contributions to the progress of the Terapantha order.

For example, the fourth Acharya encouraged the development of literature, calligraphy, drawing, art & craft and oration. At that time, new avenues were opened in the management of the order. Jayacharya was supported by Sadhvi Pramukha Sardaraji.

The period of Acharya Shri Kalugani, the eighth Acharya is remarkable for pioneering and widening of vihar-kshetra out side Rajasthan. Moreover, there was a significant increase in the number of monks and nuns, and, as a result the lay followers were also greatly benefited.

Acharya Shri Tulsi, the ninth Acharya assumed responsibility of the order at the tender age of 22. His accomplishments during the 60 year’s tenure of his Acharyaship are unparalleled. They have been briefly outlined in this book. He continued to educate and inspire in his role of Gandhipati too.

At present, under the leadership of Acharya Shri Mahaprajnaji, the tenth Acharya continues to make progress in the fields of education, literature, sadhana, research and in its mission of non-violence.

Yuvacharya Shri Mahashramanji who has been designated as his successor by Acharya Shri Mahaprajnaji, is aptly fulfilling his responsibility by assisting the latter in all of his activities. In the same way, the present Sadhvi Pramukha Shri Kanakprabhaji is also rendering her yeomen services to the Sangha by inspiring both the nuns and lay women to utilize their energy for spiritual development.

Acharya Mahaprajna has been undertaking ‘Ahmisa Yatra’ since 2001. Ahmisa Yatra has gone to Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana and Punjab.

The main objective of Ahmisa Yatra is to find out the root causes of violence and means to eradicate them and also to develop the moral values.

I hope that the Terapantha Sangha, which has made remarkable development over the past 236 years would continue to progress towards spiritual, philosophical and literary ideals through the spiritual upliftment of humankind for a long time to come just as a tree which spreads wider provides greater shade, let this order also grow in the same way so that more people may take refuge the shelter of its teachings.