Dr. Samani Satya Pragya
H.H. Acharya Mahaprajna
A Dynamic Existence: Acharya Shree Mahaprajna
Occasions are occasional. They become a symbol of inspiration, adornment and cultivation. They bring a new shift in one’s life. We are celebrating today the pious occasion of H.H. Acharya Shree Mahaprajna’s birthday.
A few births on this earth take place with special goals. Nature wants to accomplish her target by such births. H.H. Acharya Shree Mahaprajna is one of the nature’s wonderful gift fulfilling its purpose. It has brought with it a much higher purpose than mere celebration. Our celebration imperatively aims to cultivate compassion, to flourish humanity and to learn a lesson of love and harmony.
H.H. Acharya Shree Mahaprajna, the tenth and the present Acharya and supreme head of Jain Svetambara Terapanth, took birth in a very small village named Tamkor situated in Rajasthan a heritage state of India. His Mother Baluji gave him birth in four walls, under the open sky. It reveals the hidden message about the coming child that he will live for the entire universe and thus four walls cannot be a proper place for his birth.
In Childhood, the items of his attractions were Wristwatch, Mirror, Comb and Torch. All these material objects of his attraction were the symbol of the seeds of spiritual life. His keen interest in Wristwatch discloses the fact that he will not only move with time but will also fore see it. He will precisely observe the future and step ahead accordingly. His exploration of different dimension & associated with human reality is the basic of being a foresighted personality.
Comb, the second object of his interest, sketches his well-managed personality. His successful management funda is ‘Raho Bhitara, Jio Bahar’ i.e. stay inside, live outside. Terapanth is an organization consisting of more than seven hundred monks and nuns and millions of followers all over the world. Each and every member are devoted, satisfied and spiritually guided by His Holiness.
Mirror and Torch, the elements of his liking are the symbol of deep penetration and introspection. Agamic research, Preksha Meditation and Science of Living are the fruits and jewels of his deep dive.
Proclaiming about his life style and achievements, he says “I accepted monkhood, but ‘why?’ is unanswerable. It was an event manifested by nature’s law. Once a Yogi came to our village. We children were playing. On seeing me, he declared that I will become a great Yogi. During that time even the term ‘Yogi’ was unfamiliar to me. Later Muni Chabil ji and other monks of Terapantha sect arrived at Tamkor. Our Chauradiya family being culturally and religiously firm and devoted was in touch with monks and nuns. “
According to the family custom, child Nathu (Presant H.H.) used to visit them regularly. He learned a few spiritual things from them. When he planned to visit H.H. Kalugani, the eighth Acharya of Terapanth at that time who was staying was in Gangasahara, Muni Chabil ji achieved for him to meet the young and dynamic personality Muni Tulsi there. This kind advice became the milestone for his future. At first when he met Muni Tulsi, Acharya Mahaprajna says - “I saw him and he saw me and something mysterious event happened. His affectionate look caught me and my devotion bounded him. This cannot be further analysed. One thing was sure, which echoed in the background of another new journey that was going to be commenced in my future life”. The spiritual seer, who is the successor of Acharya Bhikshu and Acharya Tulsi, had renounced family and all worldly affairs with his initiation at the tender age of 11 in January 1931. The spiritual flame kept on enlightening. The day was not far when Acharya Tulsi nominated him as Mahaprajna. The vision behind this nomination was explained by H.H. Acharya Tulsi himself. “Mahaprajna! You have gained deep insight and intuition power. Now, being Mahaprajna it is your duty to spread out your wisdom in the entire sangha (organisation) for the upliftment of mankind.”
H.H. Acharya Mahaprajna internationalised his guru’s directions and dreams with strong conviction. Later this nomination itself took the shape of H.H.’s name.
Since the beginning of Millennium year 2000, he commenced his foot journey, which took the name of Ahimsa Yatra. The trauma of violence prevailing in each and every corner of the world which inspired him for starting this mission Ahimsa Yatra became the way to raise the voice of non-violence. It is a journey undertaken on foot with basic two objectives.
- Awakening of non-violence consciousness
- Establishment of moral values
It also focused to search out the root causes of violence and then to mitigate these causes theoretically and practically. In these eight years it has covered 1,00000 kms across the length and breadth of the country to spread the message of non-violence, peace and upliftment of humanity.
It emphasis to spread the message of ahimsa all over the world specially in the context to solve the current problems like violence in economics structural violence, violence against women. He is also trying to mitigate violence to unite the international groups working for nonviolence on one platform, to make the people aware about the effects of violence on society and the world.
To solidify his dreams a nonviolent society he presented four-dimensional programme
- Change in heart
- Change in attitude
- Change in life style
- Change in system or structural change.
Violence have been broadcasted from three perspectives:
- Violence against thyself
All the negative thinking, stress, depression and tension is violence committed against self. These are the emotions that negate one’s own potentialities. Every one, on the other hand, is the master of unlimited energy. Thus to underrate self-existence is violence against the self.
- Violence against family
Imbalanced behaviour towards the members of family in the form of inequality, partiality are the mode of pragmatic violence at family level. Peaceful and caring behaviour are the only means to get rid of this domestic violence. This will in turn foster peaceful co-existence.
- Violence against society
Immorality in business, befooling and cheating instincts and selfishness are the different facets of violence in the society.
He believes that religion should not be limited to the boundaries of rituals. It should penetrate into the behaviour of person in market & commerce. Morality in trade and commerce is the base of nonviolent society.
The burning problems of violence can be uprooted by following these brainstorming principles of Non-violence. It is the way that can bring naturally peaceful progress.
The entire project coupled with theory and practice is fostering fruits and right impression. We cannot however deny this fact that this way is less travelled but surly it will catch more brains. For a better and safe future we need to nurture the habit of self-restraint.
These thought provoking ideas of H.H. has influenced the world and has welcomed his non-violent approach and shown his gratitude & respected by awarding. Communal harmony award i.e. Sampradayika Sadbhavana Puraskar by Govt. of India in 2004. Indira Gandhi National Integration award in 2002, Lokmaharshi in 2003, by New Mumbai Municipal corporation, Ambassador of Peace (London) by Inter Religions and international federation in 2003, Mother Teresa National award of peace in 2005 by Inter faith Harmony foundation of India and many more awards became awarded to join with H.H.
H.H. Acharya Mahapragya has traversed more than 100000 kms covering 10,000 villages reaching out to the masses, touching people’s heart by spreading the message of harmony and peace.
From Community view he is Jain Acharya but from Global eye he is a synonym of dynamic existence who thinks globally today, on the auspicious days of his birth day, we feel blessed celebrating his vision and wishing that this spiritual season blossom the humanity forever by absorbing these principals in life’s One can have a cup of peace every day tuning his life to progress prosperity.
Soul is my God
Renunciation is my prayer
Amity is my devotion.
Self-restraint is my strength
Non-violence is my religion.
Such views are to be celebrated and today is the occasion.
Happy B’ day.