Vidyananda

This article is about 21st century Indian Jain monk. For 8th century Indian Jain monk, see Vidyananda (8th century Jain monk).
Acharya Shri Vidyananda Ji Maharaj

Acharya Vidyananda

Muni Vidyananda (1963)
Religion Jainism
Sect Digambara
Personal
Born Shri Surendra Kumar Ji
(1925-04-22) 22 April 1925
Shedbal, Karnataka
Parents
  • Sh. Kalappa Upadhayay Ji (father)
  • Smt. Saraswati Bai Ji (mother)
Senior posting
Predecessor Acharya Deshbhushan
Religious career
Initiation 25 July 1963
Delhi
by Acharya Deshbhushan
Website www.vidyananda.net

Acharya Vidyanand ji[1] (Hindi: आचार्य विद्यानंद) (Born 22 April 1925)[2] is one of the senior most principal thinker, philosopher, writer, composer, editor, curator[3] and a versatile Jain monk who has dedicated his entire life in preaching and practicing the noble concept of nonviolence (Ahimsa) through Jainism.[4][5] He is the disciple of Acharya Deshbhushan.[6] He has written may books and articles.[7] He is now about 90 years old. He has spent his past four chaturmas (4 months stay during the rainy season) in Delhi. Several institutions like D.J. Muni Vidyanand Shodhpith, Baraut, Uttar Pradesh are named after him. He has many monk disciples like Muni and lay disciples like Sahu Shanti Prasad Jain, Dr. Jay Kumarji Upadhye, a renowned Jain Scholar. Ahinsa Sthal in Delhi was established at the initiative of Acharya Vidyanandji on the land granted by the late Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi. Vidyanand was a notable figure in voicing the opinions of Digambara in the Bahubali affair.[8] There have been several distinguished Jain monks with the same name in history. One of whom is commentator of Tattvartha Sutra and Aptmimamsa, lived during 800 CE.

Early life

Born and brought up in a Jain family at Shedbal village in the southern state of Karnataka, India. His Primary education was in Marathi medium at Dhanwad Maharashtra and Higher education was in Kannada medium at Shedbal Karnataka but later he decided to Join Shanti Sagar Chatra Ashram in Shedbal for his higher studies in mastering multiple languages. After completing his initial education he got placed in Ordnance Factory in Pune by his uncles reference. After few months he finds it uncomfortable to contribute in manufacturing of any kind of weapons. So he quit that job and joined a Biscuit manufacturing factory in Pune. Unlike most of the youth in those days Surendera was also a strong believer that India's National freedom can only be achieved by Non-Violent movement and get inclined towards Nobel path of Ahimsa.This was the time when he had decided to dedicate his life towards spreading the concept in its root form as practiced in Jainism.

Initiation as Kshullaka

In the year 1945 at the age of 21, he came in touch with Acharya MahavirKirti ji while he was practicing his annual Chaturmas at Shedbal. During this time he made a formal request to join his Jain Acharya Sangh. After an year of observation in the year 1946, Acharya Shri Mahavirkirti ji initiated him as Kshulak Parshvakirti.

Starting from Kundapur in the year 1946 till 1962 at Shimoga he complete 17 chaturmas before being finally initiated as Muni Vidyanand by Acharya Deshbhushan ji in the year 1963. He had become so popular for his lectures and briefings on the Jain scriptures that his 15th Chaturmas in Belgam was celebrated with great enthusiasm and his followers sedan him in a palanquin on there shoulders and took him around the city to introduce him to the public in the year 1960.

Initiation as Muni

After strict practicing and following Jain Acharya Sangh's discipline for 17 years, He decided to get more intense with his course of becoming Jain monk by removing his worldly clothing symbolizing detachment and preserve the real soul for preaching the Noble concept of Ahimsa as the foundation of Jainism.

Parshvakirti with Acharya Deshbhushan ji

On 10 July 1963, he approached Acharya Deshbhushan ji at Chandni Chowk in Delhi who was heading the Jain Acharya Sangh at that time and made a formal request to initiate him as a Digambara monk or "Sky Clad Jain Monk". After several rounds of discussion he made his final request on 22 July 1963 and Acharya Deshbhushan ji announced that he will initiate him as Muni Vidyanand on 25 July 1963 and requested his sangh to make the necessary arrangements.

Thursday, July 25, 1963, A huge tent was erected at the Parade ground in Delhi with a center Stage to accommodate thousands of followers gathered to witness the historic event of Initiation of Muni Vidyananda. Soon after the introductory speech Acharya Deshbhushan ji initiated the ceremony and requested Khulak Parshvakirti to follow the instructions along with the holy chants. Parshvakirti followed the instructions and removed all the clothes and ornaments and threw them at the crowd to symbolize his detachment from the worldly matters and materials and initialize his journey as Digambara Muni Vidyananda.

Accession & Eminence

Shwet-Pichchhachary Vidyananda ji, 2010

He received eminence as Shwet-Pichchhachary after his international followers gifted him feathers of white peacock or Peafowl as soon as Government lifted the Ban on use of Peacock feather on July 24, 2010.

Acharya Vidyananda, 1987

28 June 1987 Delhi under Acharya Deshbhushan ji

Siddhant-Chakravarti Acharya Vidyananda, 1979

17 November 1979 Indore by (चतुः संघ) sangh

Elachary Vidyananda, 1978

17 November 1978 Delhi under Acharya Deshbhushan ji

Upadhyay Vidyanada, 1974

8 December 1974 Delhi under Acharya Deshbhushan ji

Muni Vidyanad, 1964

22 July 1963 Delhi under Acharya Deshbhushan ji

Kshullak Parshvakirti, 1946

15 April 1946 Tamadaddi, Karnataka under Acharya Mahavir Kirti ji

Chaturmas / Varshayog

As Kshulak Parshvakirti

  1. Konnur, Karnataka 1946
  2. Humcha, Karnataka 1947
  3. kumbhoj, Maharashtra 1948
  4. Shedbal, Karnataka 1949
  5. Shedbal, Karnataka 1950
  6. Shedbal, Karnataka 1951
  7. Shedbal, Karnataka 1952
  8. Shedbal, Karnataka 1953
  9. Shedbal, Karnataka 1954
  10. Shedbal, Karnataka 1955
  11. Shedbal, Karnataka 1956
  12. Humcha, Karnataka 1957
  13. Sujangarh, Rajasthan 1958
  14. Sujangarh, Rajasthan 1959
  15. Belgaum, Karnataka 1960
  16. Kundadri, Karnataka 1961
  17. Shimoga, Karnataka 1962

As Muni Vidyanand

  1. Lal Mandir, Delhi 1963
  2. Jaipur, Rajasthan 1964
  3. Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh 1965
  4. Samantbhadra Vidyalaya, Delhi 1966
  5. Meerut, Uttar Pradesh 1967
  6. Baraut, Uttar Pradesh 1968
  7. Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh 1969
  8. Srinagar, Uttarakhand 1970
  9. Indore, Madhya Pradesh 1971
  10. Shri Mahavirji, Rajasthan 1972
  11. Meerut, Uttar Pradesh 1973
  12. Jain Balashram, Delhi 1974

As Upadhyay Vidyanada

  1. Jagadhri, Haryana 1975
  2. Chandni Chowk, Delhi 1976
  3. Baraut, Uttar Pradesh 1977
  4. Pahari Dhiraj, Delhi 1978

As Elachary Vidyananda

  1. Indore, Madhya Pradesh 1979
  2. Shravanabelagola, Karnataka 1980
  3. Shravanabelagola, Karnataka 1981[9]
  4. Kothli Shantigiri, Karnataka 1982
  5. Bahubali Kumbhoj, Maharashtra 1983
  6. Teen Murti, Borivali, Mumbai 1984
  7. GommatGiri, Indore 1985
  8. Kund Kund Bharti, New Delhi 1986

As Acharya Vidyananda

  1. Kund Kund Bharti, New Delhi 1987
  2. Kothli Shantigiri, Karnataka 1988
  3. Kothli Shantigiri, Karnataka 1989
  4. Baramati, Maharashtra 1990
  5. KundKund Bharti, New Delhi 1991
  6. KundKund Bharti, New Delhi 1992
  7. Greenpark, New Delhi 1993
  8. KundKund Bharti, New Delhi 1994
  9. KundKund Bharti, New Delhi 1995
  10. KundKund Bharti, New Delhi 1996
  11. Jaipur, Rajasthan 1997
  12. New Rohtak Rd, Delhi 1998[10]
  13. Greenpark, New Delhi 1999
  14. Jain Balashram, Delhi 2000
  15. Ahinsa Sthal, New Delhi 2001
  16. RK Puram, New Delhi 2002
  17. KundKund Bharti, New Delhi 2003
  18. KundKund Bharti, New Delhi 2004
  19. KundKund Bharti, New Delhi 2005
  20. KundKund Bharti, New Delhi 2006
  21. KundKund Bharti, New Delhi 2007
  22. Rishabh Vihar, New Delhi 2008[11]
  23. Greenpark, New Delhi 2009
  24. Greenpark, New Delhi 2010
  25. Greenpark, New Delhi 2011
  26. Greenpark, New Delhi 2012
  27. Greenpark, New Delhi 2013
  28. KundKund Bharti, New Delhi 2014
  29. KundKund Bharti, New Delhi 2015
  30. KundKund Bharti, New Delhi 2016

Panch Kalyanaka Pratishtha Mahotsava

Achievements

Books and Articles

Most of the books, articles and editorials written by Acharya Vidyanand ji are in simplified Hindi though some of them use typical ancient Prakrit and Sanskrit shloka and sutra for references as mentioned in vedas and puranas. He is also mentoring scholars in their advance language studies with his translation skills.

References

  1. Acharya Shri 108 Vidyanand Ji Maharaj
  2. Studies in Jaina history and Culture: Disputes and Dialogues p. 352
  3. "Sravan".
  4. THE GENTLE CONQUERORS
  5. Jaina Iconography By Jyotindra Jain, Eberhard Fischer, Published 1978 BRILL
  6. Shri Acharyaratna Deshbhooshan Shikshan Prasarak Mandal's Mahavir Mahavidyalaya, Kolhapur, archived from the original on 20 June 2008
  7. Uban Retd. 1993.
  8. Carrithers & Humphrey 1991, p. 10.
  9. Nitin H.P. "Gallery - Category: Shravanabelagola - Indragiri - Image: Vidyananda cave, Acharya 108 Sri Vidyanandaji Maharaj did his meditation regularly in this cave during the 1981 Mahamasthakabhisheka.".
  10. "75th Birthday of Acharya Vidyananda".
  11. "Jainism Ahimsa News Religious Non-Violence Celebrities Literature Philosophy Matrimonial Institutions".
  12. "HereNow4U.net :: Books Online - Acharya Tulsi - Fifty Years Of Selfless Dedication - Glimpses Of Greatness - Acharya Tulsi & Celebrities - Acharya Shri Deshbhushan - Muni Vidyanandji". HereNow4u: Portal on Jainism and next level consciousness.
  13. "Ancient ritual of consecrating Bahubali gives Shravana Belgola a carnival look : Cover Story - India Today".
  14. "Mangalorean.com - Mangalore News Articles, Classifieds to Around the World".
  15. "Culture of Peace and Non-Violence". Culture of Peace and Non-Violence.
  16. "Jinvani – Shri 1008 Bhagwan Adinath Digambar Jain Atishay Kshetra, Ranila, Bhiwani Haryana".
  17. "on www.jainsamaj.org ( Jainism, Ahimsa News, Religion, Non-Violence, Culture, Vegetarianism, Meditation, India. )".
  18. The Office of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. "News - The Office of His Holiness The Dalai Lama".
  19. "Resort to non violence to make world stronger: Saints". www.oneindia.com.
  20. "Kalap Katantra Pustakalaya". Wonobo.
  21. http://www.sdc.gov.in/Library/index.php?id=3

Bibliography

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