Rich tributes to Acharya Mahapragyaji

Jainism's Legendary era has come to an end with the passing away of The community's senior most Acharya and most versatile, learned Terapanth Acharya Shree Mahapragyaji on Sunday at Sardarshahar in Rajasthan.

Born on 14th June 1920 at Tamkor in Rajasthan, he took his Jain monkhood on 29th Jan 1931 at Sardarshahar and has been continuously serving humanity with his broader learning, understanding and enhancing approach on humanity, spreading peace and global harmony.

Sound technical understanding of various Jain and Vedic literature and philosophy and nicely derived linkage with human life well being led him in most sacred and holy place in spirituality. Ahimsa Yatra was one of most precious means derived by him to enhance human relationships, peace and prosperity. The great philosophical icon also wrote hundreds of books on Jainism, Happy Family, Spirituality, Happy Living, and alike lively subjects with descriptive and clear concepts presentation and application of basis of philosophy and values led down in Jainism on these aspects.

He took Terapanth community and followers to all new global heights and was conferred with many international, national awards for spreading peace and harmony. Acharya Mahapragya was given the title of 'Yug Pradhan' in 1999 as a mark of the highest honour of this era for his countless services to humanity in this Yug. For his exceptional and sustained contribution to the cause of 'Jain Yoga' the epithet of 'Jain Yoga Punruddharak' Resurrector of Jain Yoga) was also conferred on him. He has been regarded as the 'Modern Vivekananda' of India by many intellectuals including 'Rashtrakavi Ram Dhari Singh Dinkar'.

To quote "Mahapragya was a Modern Vivekananda but we have not seen Vivekananda, only heard and read about him. But now we can see Vivekananda through his Vision". Acharya Mahapragya has been called the "Columbus of Jain Meditation" by many intellectual commentators for his contribution in reviving Preksha Dhyan by which innumerable people have been benefited.Acharya Mahapragya was not only a spiritual leader of exceptionally high caliber but also an outstanding Philosopher Practitioner Thinker. His thoughts have inspired many categories of people and have yielded Positive Thinking in all walks of life.

Acharya Mahapragya Passes Away

Acharya Mahapragya Tenth Acharya, Supreme Head of Jain Swetembar Terapanth Group Is Passes Away

According to our Private sources Shree Acharya Mahapragya 1oth acharya of religion Swetembar Terapanth samaj has no more today , Acharya Mahapragya is today in sardarshshar of rajashthan , solon reports module come.

Acharya Shri Mahapragya (14 June 1920-09 May 2010) was the tenth Acharya, supreme head of Jain Swetembar Terapanth group.
He promotes nonviolence and leads the Ahimsa Yatra movement.

Followers refer to him as Gurudev, the Godly Teacher. He has traversed more than 100,000 km on foot covering more than 10,000 villages reaching out to the masses spreading the message of harmony and peace. Walked across the length and breadth of India From Kachchh in Gujarat to Kolkata and from Punjab to Kanyakumari, Mahapragya undertook travel on foot earlier under the leadership of Acharya Tulsi and later himself being the leader. During these travels, he addressed thousands of public meetings.

Acharya Mahapragya formulated Preksha meditation system in 1970s.
He is the supreme head of Jain Vishva Bharati University and also played a key role in its establishment[5]. The University draws its spiritual strength and direction from Acharya Mahaprajna,who is above any sectarian bias. Anuvrat movement is also functioning under his leadership.

His discourses are telecast daily on Indian television.

Mahapragya(14 June 1920-09 May 2010)was born to Tola Ram Choraria and Baluji in the small village of Tamkor in the Jhunjhunu district in Rajasthan. It was a Jain Shwetambar Terapanthi family. He was called Nathmal by his family. He lost his father when he was just two and half months old. It was a joint family and the child had support from all the family members. Nathmal’s mother was very affectionate for the child and took utmost care in the upbringing. There was no formal school in Tamkor village in those days and he didn’t get any formal education. Nathmal took some lessons on letters and mathematics tables from local teacher. Mahapragya’s mother was a religious lady. She preferred to devote all spare time in spiritual exertion. She also used to recite religious songs which made imprints on young child’s heart. Her indulgence towards spirituality inspired the young child.

Awards and Honours
Mother Teresa National award of peace by Inter faith Harmony foundation of India in 2005
Communal harmony award i.e. Sampradayika Sadbhavana Puraskar by Govt. of India in 2004
Ambassador of Peace (London) by Inter Religions and international federation in 2003
Lokmaharshi by New Mumbai Municipal corporation in 2003
Indira Gandhi National Integration award in 2002
D.Litt by Netherland Inter Cultural Open University in 1999.

Ladnun institute imparting value-based education

New Delhi: In present times when we are all caught up in the mad rush to achieve the pinnacle of success, we need a system of education that can stimulate our soul within by putting into practice and propagating the moral & spiritual norms and values in us.

Such a system can foster and develop universal human relationships for a peaceful co-existence amongst individuals, groups, communities, sect, races, religion and nation. Our education system has addressed this need and through various institutes. One such establishment that has been able to propagate the intrinsic values of life is Jain Viswa Bharti.

Jain Viswa Bharti Institute was established in 1991 with inspiration from His Holiness Acharya Tulsi and now headed by his successor, Acharya Shri Mahaprajna a seer, saint and scholar. It is the world’s first Jain University. The institution combines theoretical research with practical research, in other words, it combines gyan (knowledge) and dhyan (meditation). The University is however free from any religious affiliations. The institute draws its spiritual strength and direction from Acharya Mahaprajna, who is above any sectarian bias. Acharya Tulsi and now Acharya Mahaprajna work untiringly towards eradicating social evils, reforming social customs, building national character and educating the masses on the principles of nonviolence, universal peace and brotherhood.

Acharya Mahaprajna recently visited Ladnun, Rajasthan on 30th April 2009 to spread the knowledge where people, irrespective of religion, caste & creed, gathered in mass rally to pay homage to the noble soul dedicated to the service of mankind. Acharya Ji’s visit was marked by a series of knowledge sharing sessions to pave path for a world of non violence and peace.

Heads of various organizations and also the prominent citizens of Ladnun and Shravakas had the honour of welcoming Acharya Mahaprajna and Yuvacharya Mahashraman. “The development in terms of infrastructure and result oriented activities which have been manifested in the Jain Viswa Bharti is the embodiment of the dream of Acharya Mahaprajna”, says Surendra Choraria, the president of Jain Viswa Bharti on the occasion of the welcome ceremony of Acharya Mahaprajna. He also said, “togetherness is the secret to the success”.

Acharya Mahapragya, who is often described as a thinker, philosopher, writer, and a walking encyclopedia of Jainology, is working towards putting into practice and to promote and propagate the high ideals of Anekant (non-absolutist outlook), Ahimsa (Non-violence), Tolerance and Peaceful Co-existence for the weal of mankind.

From Financial Express