Role Author Books Secrets of Spirituality | Name Acharya Tulsi Died June 23, 1997, Rajasthan | |
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Acharya Tulsi (20 October 1914 – 23 June 1997) was a prominent Jain religious leader. He was the founder of the Anuvrata movement and the Jain Vishva Bharti Institute, Ladnun and the author of over one hundred books.
Contents
- Biography
- Scholarship
- Anuvrat Movement
- Institutions
- As a Wandering Ascetic
- Call for Jain Unity
- Recognitions
- Controversies
- Memorial
- References
Acharya Mahapragya and Sadhvi Kanakprabha were his disciples.
Biography
Acharya Tulsi was born on 20 October 1914 in Ladnun, in present Nagaur district of Rajasthan, to Vadana and Jhumarmal Khater. Acharya Kalugani, then the leader of the Svetambar Terapanth Sangh, greatly influenced Tulsi. Tulsi was initiated into monkhood at age 11. In 1936, Kalugani nominated Tulsi to be his successor in Gangapur at Rang Bhawan-the house of Ranglal Hiran, making him the ninth Acharya of the Terapanth Sangha. During his leadership of the Sangha, he initiated more than 776 monks and nuns.
Scholarship
In the 1970s, Tulsi began researching, compiling translations and commentaries on the Jain Agamas. Tulsi, along with Yuvacharya Mahapragya, sought to rediscover Jain meditation and termed it Preksha Dhyan.
Anuvrat Movement
In 1949 he launched the Anuvrat Movement (anu = small, vrat=vow, Anuvratas are the limited version of the Mahavratas for the monks), based on the five Jain principles Truth, Nonviolence, Non possession, Non-stealing and Celibacy as applied in their limited version for the lay people. The movement encouraged people to apply the Anuvratas in their personal lives, even when dealing with non-religious aspects of the society. The movement also held that Dharma is not for ensuring happiness in the future lives but also for achieving happiness in the present life.
The movement has continued under the leadership of his disciple Yuvacharya Mahapragya. He was raised to the rank of the Acharya by Acharya Tulsi himself.
Institutions
In 1948 Tulsi established the Parmarthik Shikshan Sanstha, a spiritual training centre for females aspirants who wanted to lead the Jain monastic lifestyle. Jain Vishva Bharati Institute, an education and research institute was established in 1991 with inspiration from Acharya Tulsi.
Traditionally Jain monks have been prohibited from travelling overseas. Tulsi developed the Saman 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: They are granted permission to use means of transportation. 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.
As a Wandering Ascetic
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 wanderings included:
In the course of these travels, Tulsi visited numerous communities and preached to Anuvrat-oriented life.
Call for Jain Unity
Acharya Tulsi proposed harmonious cooperation among various Jain sects. As a result of his support, Samana Suttam came to be compiled and accepted by all sects.
Recognitions
Stamp: 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.
Coins: In 2014, the Reserve Bank of India issued two coins featuring Achrya Tulsi, Rs 5 made of Nickel-Brass and Rs 20. Finance Minister Shri P.Chidambaram Released the Commemorative Coins to Commemorate the Birth Centenary of Acharya Tulsi at Bikaner.
Controversies
Acharya Tulsi encountered widespread praise as well as occasional criticism.
Memorial
A memorial named Mahashila Abhilekh has been erected in his memory in the village of Todgarh.
Coins of denomination Indian Rupee 5 issued in 2013, on centennial birth anniversary of Acharya Tulsi.