Acharya Tulsi

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Acharya Tulsi

Name (official) Acharya Tulsi
Personal Information
Birth name Tulsi
Born 1914, VS. 1971, Kartik Shukla Dwitiya
Ladnun, Rajasthan, India
Died 23 June 1997,
Gangasahar Rajasthan
Parents Jhoomarmal and Vandana
Initiation
Initiated by Acharya Kalugani
Initiated at Ladnun, Rajasthan, India
Initiated on VS. 1982, Paush Krishna Pachmi,
After Initiation
Works Anuvrat Movement
Preceded by Acharya Kalugani
Succeeded by Acharya Mahapragya
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Acharya Tulsi (October 20, 1914 June 23, 1997) was a Jain Acharya (an ascetic). He was the founder of
the Anuvrata and the Jain Vishva Bharti Institute, Ladnun and the author of over one-hundred books. Dr.
Radhakrishnan in his "Living with Purpose" included him in the world's 15 great persons. He was given the title
"Yuga-Pradhan" in a function officiated by President V.V. Giri in 1971.
He was influential in the development of Acharya Mahapragya and Sadhvi Kanakprabha.
Contents
[hide]
1 Early life
2 Life as Acharya
o 2.1 Anuvrat Movement
o 2.2 Agama - The Jain canon, editing and organized publication
3 Institutions
4 Views
o 4.1 Stand on Religion
5 A Great Wandering Ascetic
6 Awards and honours
o 6.1 Postage Stamp
o 6.2 Shrines
7 See also
8 References
9 Internal Link
10 External links
Early life[edit source | editbeta]
The son of devout Jain traders, Tulsi was born in 1914 in Ladnun Rajasthan, India to Jhumarmal Khatter and
Vadana Ji. He first went to school at the age of eight years.
[1]
Acharya Kalugani, the 8th Acharya of Terapanth
order and also the family guru, greatly influenced Tulsi, later recalling: "His divine face fascinated my heart and
I used to gaze at him for hours." Acharya Kalugani came to Ladnun in 1925 (Vikram Samvat 1982). The child
Tulsi was 11 years old. His visit to Kalugani aroused in him a strong desire to become a Jain monk. In less than
a month young Tulsi got initiated into the Terapanth order by Acharya Kalugani.
[2]

Though he was young in age, Acharya Kalugani visualized in him the seeds of genius, manly courage and
great fortune. It was in a sudden and dramatic way that both Guru (master) and disciple were seized with a
feeling of oneness. His elder brother Muni Champa Lai had become a monk only a year before. His process of
education began under his supervision with the direct patronage of the Acharya himself.
[3]
He achieved mastery
over the Sanskrit language in just seven years. With it began the period of a thorough study of Jain Agama and
Jain philosophy. During this period he performed an astounding feat of memory by learning about twenty
thousand Sanskrit verses by heart. He also began to write poetry in the Rajasthani language, besides having
acquired the knack of delivering discourses.
[3]

Acharya Kalugani fell seriously ill during his four months rainy season stay at Gangapur, a town
near Bhilwara Rajasthan in 1936 and was nearing his end, he nominated young Tulsi as his successor.
[4]
It
happened only four days before his death. Tulsi was only twenty two years old at that time. He was entrusted
with the responsibility of leading a large religious order consisting of 500 monks and nuns and millions of
devotees spread all over the country.
[5]

Life as Acharya[edit source | editbeta]
After assuming the responsibility as the head of the order, Acharya Tulsi wandered from one place to another
only within the erstwhile state of Bikaner for the next eleven years. During this period he concentrated on the
education and training of his monks and nuns. In fact he had taken to teaching even at an early stage of his
monkhood. At seventeen he was already teaching a large number of monks. Prominent among his students
were Muni Nathmal (later Acharya Mahapragya), Muni Buddmal. The disciples taught by him emerged as
erudite scholars in various streams of knowledge like Sanskrit, Prakrit, philosophy, comparative studies, etc.
[5]

Anuvrat Movement[edit source | editbeta]


Anuvrat Slogan Self constraint is Life
Tulsi realized that the independence of India would be futile unless the national character was developed. He
composed a soul-stirring poem on the eve of the first Independence Day entitled 'Let us have real
independence.' Real independence to him meant moral elevation. Anuvrat Movement is an experiment in this
direction. On March 2, 1949 he launched the Anuvrat Movement to spearhead this idea.
[6]

Anuvrat literally means small vows (anu (small), vrat (vow)). With Anuvrat movement, a code of conduct aimed
at developing the individual character and morality was drawn up and presented to the people. The five
principles (Truth, Nonviolence, Non-possession,Non-stealing and Celibacy) are the foundation of this code of
conduct.
[7]

The step was welcomed all over the country. Thousands of people extended their support to it. It became
instrumental in carrying the voice of moral awakening to distant parts of the country. People accepted it as a
movement dedicated to the cause of developing national character.
[8]
Jain Terapanth monks and nuns
undertook long barefoot marches from one village to another taking the message of Anuvrat. Acharya Tulsi's
marches throughout the country lent further strength to it.
[9]

Anuvrat Movement put forward the following secrets to the people:
[10]

Dharma (Spirituality/Religion) occupies the first place, sect comes next.
There may be many sects but dharma (Spirituality/Religion) belongs to all.
Dharma (Spirituality/Religion)is quite distinct from politics. It must not be subjected to political
interferences.
Dharma is not merely an instrument of ensuring happiness in the hereafter but it is also a means to bring
happiness to the present life. He who fails to make his present life better is unlikely to achieve happiness
in the hereafter.
The primary aim of dharma is to purify character. Its ritualistic practices are secondary.
The Movement inspired followers to practice purity and self-discipline in their personal lives. By experiencing
self-transformation, citizens could move toward a nonviolent socio-political world order.
A series of campaigns launched from time to time under its aegis against the evils of adulteration, corruption,
untouchability, dowry, etc. generated a new wave of consciousness in the Indian masses.
[11]
Dr. Rajendra
Prasad, the first President of India, made great contribution to the noble cause of the Movement. Many
prominent leaders like Morarji Desai, Anantsayanam Ayangar, Rajarshi Puru-shottamdas Tandon, Gulzarilal
Nanda, U.N. Dhebar, A.K. Gopalan supported this movement.
[12]

The movement continued under the leadership of Acharya Mahapragya and now under Acharya
Mahashraman.
Agama - The Jain canon, editing and organized publication[edit
source | editbeta]
In 1950 Acharya Tulsi got the desire to undertake the task of editing the Jain Agama, while on visit
to Maharashtra, staying in a village Manchar. He consulted his disciple Muni Nathmal (who later
became Acharya Mahapragya) and decided to proceed with this massive task of research, translation and
annotation of the Jain Agamas.
[13]
The work began at Ujjain during his chaturmas (four months' stay during the
rainy season) under his leadership with Mahapragya being the editorial director.
[14]
Joint activity of Acharya
Tulsi, Mahapragya and other intellectual monks and nuns began to facilitate the permanent preservation of
many thousands of years old canonical scriptures and embellished them with a scientific outlook acceptable to
the people.
[15]
Through strenuous work day and night for many years continuously, the original text of the thirty-
two Agam scriptures was determined and their Hindi translation also completed.
[16]
Detailed commentaries
thereon made them more interesting and comprehensible. This task carried out in accordance with the verbal
renderings by Acharya Tulsi was guided by an entirely non-sectarian and open mind and is therefore viewed
with respect by the heads of other sects as well as intellectual and oriental scholars of the East and the West.A
large number of important Agamas have already been edited and published.
[17]

Institutions[edit source | editbeta]
Adarsh Sahitya Sangh It was founded in 1948 under the guidance of Tulsi to undertake the task of publishing
creative literature.
[18]
Publication of literature authored mostly by Jain monks got significantly organized with
establishment of this organization.
Parmarthik Shikshan Sanstha In 1948 Tulsi established the Parmarthik Shikshan Sanstha, a spiritual training
centre for aspirants who want to lead the Jain monastic lifestyle. People interested in getting initiated into
Terapanth order have to undergo a specific training aimed at making their full-fledged ascetic life more
meaningful before they were initiated into it. They are prepared for the courses equivalent to those meant for
graduates and undergraduates. Besides, they are also provided with opportunities for research and sadhana.
[19]

Shraman Order Tulsi developed the Shraman Order around 1980 in an effort to spread the preachings of
Jainism worldwide. This order follows the lifestyle of Sadhus and Sadhvis with two exceptions:
1. They are granted permission to use means of transportation.
2. They are allowed to take food which is prepared for them.
This order can be termed as the link between the normal households and the Jain monks and nun.
Akhil Bhartiya Terapanth Mahila Mandal Terapanth's women's organisation of about 37,000 members,
founded in 1966, by Acharya Tulsi with the vision to involve the female lay followers into spiritually motivated
social action, to play an active role by helping others to solve their problems.
[20]
Actually there are 74 centers
with 334 branches all over India and abroad.
[21]

Akhil Bhartiya Terapanth Yuvak Parishad This organization consisting of the young people of the community
was set up to mobilize the youth power so that the youth of the community could be involved in some religious
and moral activities.
[22]

Views[edit source | editbeta]
Stand on Religion[edit source | editbeta]
Intellectuality: Religion is not mere superstition and bigotry. It should be made congruent with intellectual and
rational understanding.
Experimental Verifiability: The elements of religion must be subjected to experiments in the laboratory of life.
Religion is not meant for being preached only.
Reconcilableness: Religion should be capable of systematizing and reconciling the problems of individuals as
well those of society.
Contemporariness: Religion must be relevant to the present. It must not be tied down to the hereafter.
Religious Harmony: Efforts should be made to create goodwill between different religious communities.
[23]

A Great Wandering Ascetic[edit source | editbeta]
Jain Monks and nuns remain under a vow of moving on foot all their life. In Tulsi's lifetime he covered more
than 70,000 km.
His major marches included:
1949 : From Bikaner to Jaipur, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and back to Rajasthan.
1955 : From Rajasthan to Gujarat, Maharastra, Madhya Pradesh and back to Rajasthan.
1958 : From Rajasthan to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Bengal, again Bihar, Uttar pradesh, Delhi, Haryana and
back to Rajasthan.
1966 : From Rajasthan to Gujarat, Maharastra, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra
Pradesh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and back to Rajasthan.
1974 : From Rajasthan to Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, and back to Rajasthan.
1981 : From Rajasthan to Haryana, Delhi and back to Rajasthan.
1987 : From Rajasthan to Haryana and Delhi and back to Rajasthan.
In the course of these marches, Tulsi had widespread contact with people and preached to Anuvrat-oriented
life and abstinence from alcohol.
Awards and honours[edit source | editbeta]
Title of Yug Pradhan in 1971 by the president of India V. V. Giri
Bharat Jyoti Award
Vakpati Award
The Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration in 1993
Dr. Radhakrishnan in his book "Living with Purpose" included him in the world's 15 great persons.
Postage Stamp[edit source | editbeta]
On 20 October 1998, the vice-president, Krishna Kant, released an Indian commemorative three-rupee postage
stamp of Tulsi. Kant said that the Tulsi gave a new and contemporary direction to the high ideals of Jainism.
Shrines[edit source | editbeta]
To keep Tulsi's teachings immortal, followers built a memorial in the village of Todgarh named Mahashila
Abhilekh.
See also[edit source | editbeta]
List of Important Jains in History
References[edit source | editbeta]
Jainism: A Pictorial Guide to the Religion of Non-Violence By Kurt Titze, Klaus Bruhn
1. ^ Mahapragya, Acharya. "Acharya Tulsi - A Peacemaker Par Excellence". Dr. Prem Nath Jain, B Jain
Publishers Ltd. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
2. ^ <references/>Mahapragya, Acharya. "Acharya Tulsi - A Peacemaker Par Excellence". Dr. Prem Nath
Jain, B Jain Publishers Ltd. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
3. ^
a

b
Mahapragya, Acharya. "Acharya Tulsi - A Peacemaker Par Excellence". Dr. Prem Nath Jain, B Jain
Publishers Ltd. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
4. ^ Marett, Paul. Jainism Explained (PDF). Jain Samaj Europe Publication. Retrieved 19 June 2009.
5. ^
a

b
Mahapragya, Acharya. "Acharya Tulsi - A Peacemaker Par Excellence". Dr. Prem Nath Jain, B Jain
Publishers Ltd. Retrieved 7May 2013.
6. ^ <references/>Mahapragya, Acharya. "Acharya Tulsi - A Peacemaker Par Excellence". Dr. Prem Nath
Jain, B Jain Publishers Ltd. Retrieved 17May 2013.
7. ^ <references/>Mahapragya, Acharya. "Acharya Tulsi - A Peacemaker Par Excellence". Dr. Prem Nath
Jain, B Jain Publishers Ltd. Retrieved 17May 2013.
8. ^ <references/>Mahapragya, Acharya. "Acharya Tulsi - A Peacemaker Par Excellence". Dr. Prem Nath
Jain, B Jain Publishers Ltd. Retrieved 23May 2013.
9. ^ <references/>Mahapragya, Acharya. "Acharya Tulsi - A Peacemaker Par Excellence". Dr. Prem Nath
Jain, B Jain Publishers Ltd. Retrieved 23May 2013.
10. ^ <references/>Mahapragya, Acharya. "Acharya Tulsi - A Peacemaker Par Excellence". Dr. Prem Nath
Jain, B Jain Publishers Ltd. Retrieved 23May 2013.
11. ^ <references/>Mahapragya, Acharya. "Acharya Tulsi - A Peacemaker Par Excellence". Dr. Prem Nath
Jain, B Jain Publishers Ltd. Retrieved 23May 2013.
12. ^ <references/>Mahapragya, Acharya. "Acharya Tulsi - A Peacemaker Par Excellence". Dr. Prem Nath
Jain, B Jain Publishers Ltd. Retrieved 25July 2013.
13. ^ "Jeevan ka kshitiz: dayitva-kasauti". Mahapragya: Jeevan Darshan. Aadarsh Saahitya Sangh. 1994-12-
17.
14. ^ Mahapragya, Acharya. "Acharya Tulsi - A Peacemaker Par Excellence". Dr. Prem Nath Jain, B Jain
Publishers Ltd. Retrieved 9July 2013.
15. ^ "Jeevan ka kshitiz: dayitva-kasauti". Mahapragya: Jeevan Darshan. Aadarsh Saahitya Sangh. 1994-12-
17.
16. ^ "Jeevan ka kshitiz: dayitva-kasauti". Mahapragya: Jeevan Darshan. Aadarsh Saahitya Sangh. 1994-12-
17.
17. ^ "Jeevan ka kshitiz: dayitva-kasauti". Mahapragya: Jeevan Darshan. Aadarsh Saahitya Sangh. 1994-12-
17.
18. ^ Mahapragya, Acharya. "Acharya Tulsi - A Peacemaker Par Excellence". Dr. Prem Nath Jain, B Jain
Publishers Ltd. Retrieved 8July 2013.
19. ^ Mahapragya, Acharya. "Acharya Tulsi - A Peacemaker Par Excellence". Dr. Prem Nath Jain, B Jain
Publishers Ltd. Retrieved 8July 2013.
20. ^ Mahapragya, Acharya. "Acharya Tulsi - A Peacemaker Par Excellence". Dr. Prem Nath Jain, B Jain
Publishers Ltd. Retrieved 13July 2013.
21. ^ Geerdes Jain, Aparigraha Christian. "MM". Retrieved 13 August 2013.
22. ^ Acharya, Mahapragya. Acharya Tulsi - A Peacemaker Par Excellence. Dr. Prem Nath Jain, B Jain
Publishers Ltd.
23. ^ Acharya, Mahapragya. Acharya Tulsi - A Peacemaker Par Excellence. Dr. Prem Nath Jain, B Jain
Publishers Ltd.