Aryarakshitsuri

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text about Āchārya Āryarakṣitsūri, based on the given pages:

This document excerpt from "Shramana Bhagwanto" (Part 1 & 2) focuses on the prominent Jain Acharya, Āryarakṣitsūri, a significant figure and founder of the Achalgachchha.

The text first briefly mentions:

• Shri Rāmacandrasūri: A renowned Acharya whose life details are not fully known. According to Pandit Lalchand Gandhi, he was born in VS 1145, initiated in VS 1166, ascended to the Acharya post in VS 1229, and passed away in VS 1230. His death is attributed to the enmity of Ajaypal, the successor to King Kumarpal, who desired to replace Hema chandrasuri with Bālchandramuni. Rāmacandrasūri was reportedly killed by being placed on a heated copper plate on the king's orders. His steadfastness in obeying his Guru and sacrificing his life is highlighted as a legendary event in Jain history.

The main focus then shifts to Āchārya Āryarakṣitsūri:

• Proponent and Founder of Achalgachchha: Āryarakṣitsūri was a supporter and propagator of the "Suvihitmārgī" (path of proper conduct) tradition. It's clarified that he is distinct from another Āryarakṣitsūri who was a prolific author in the Dāna and Anu yoga traditions.
• Guru Lineage: This Āryarakṣitsūri's guru was Āchārya Jayasiṃhasūri of the Nāṇāvālagachchha (the 46th successor in the Vaḍagachchha). His guru lineage included prominent Acharyas like Dharmachandrasūri, Guṇasamudrasūri, Vijayaprabhasūri, Narachandrasūri, and Virachandrasūri. The Nāṇāvālagachchha originated from Prabhāvasūri.
• Early Life and Initiation: Āryarakṣitsūri belonged to the Prāgdhārā (Porwāḍ) gotra. His parents were Droṇa and Deḍḍī. He was born in the village of Daṇtāṇī near Ābu in VS 1136 on Shrāvaṇa Sud 9. His worldly name was Vayā (Gadukumar). His parents, devout Jains, dedicated him to the service of Āchārya Jayasiṃhasūri when he visited Daṇtāṇī. Jayasiṃhasūri took Vayā to Khambhāt, where he initiated him into monkhood at a young age on Vaishākh Sud 8, VS 1142, naming him Muni Vijayachandra.
• Acquiring Knowledge and Acharya Title: Muni Vijayachandra gained knowledge of the Āgamas from Shri Jayasiṃhasūri and acquired knowledge of Mantras and Tantras from Yati Shri Rāmacandra. His guru bestowed upon him the Acharya title in Pāṭaṇ on Māgha Sud 3, VS 1159, proclaiming him as Shri Āryarakṣitsūri.
• Addressing Monastic Laxity and Gachchha Reform: While studying the Āgamas, Āryarakṣitsūri observed growing laxity in the lives of the monks. With his guru's permission, he entered the Pūnamiyāgachchha with his maternal uncle, Muni Shri Śīlaguṇajī. In this gachchha, he converted Shri Yaśodhaval Bhaṅsālī of Bhālej village and his family to Jainism. He became known as Vijayachandra in the Pūnamiyāgachchha. Later, he returned to the Nāṇāvālagachchha and regained prominence as Āryarakṣita.
• Establishment of Achalgachchha: Dissatisfied even after changing gachchhas, he initiated reforms and established new rules within the Nāṇāvālagachchha. He founded the Vidhipakṣagachchha in VS 1199 and subsequently the Achalgachchha in VS 1213. The Achalgachchha represented a significant step against the laxity prevalent among Chaitravāsis (monks residing in temples). It directed lay followers to wear a specific cloth as a mukhavastrikā (mouth covering) during Paushadh and Sāmāyika practices.
• Documentation of Achalgachchha Practices: The practices of the Achalgachchha were described by Dharmaghoṣasūri in his Prakrit work "Shatpadikā" (VS 1263), which is unfortunately no longer extant. Based on this work, Mahendrasūri wrote the Sanskrit text "Shatpadī" in VS 1294, which is available today and serves as a source for understanding the Achalgachchha's traditions.
• Royal Recognition of Achalgachchha: King Siddharāja Jayasiṃha is credited with naming the gachchha "Achalgachchha" due to Āryarakṣitsūri's steadfastness. Further, mentions in Paṭṭāvalīs indicate that during King Kumarpal's reign in Pāṭaṇ, Āryarakṣitsūri was honored by his devotee minister Kadapi, who measured the land with one end of his father's uttarasaṅga (upper garment) and bowed. This practice led King Kumarpal to bestow the suggestive name "Achalgachchha" upon this Vidhipakṣa.
• Elevation of Female Monks: In the Achalgachchha, the esteemed position of a Sādhvī (female monk) was established with the appointment of Sādhvī Samayaśrī. She renounced a wealthy family and took initiation from Āryarakṣitsūri along with 25 other sisters.
• Propagation and Disciples: Shri Āryarakṣitsūri traveled extensively throughout Gujarat, Sindh, Saurashtra, and Madhya Pradesh. Shri Yaśodhan Bhaṇsālī was the first lay follower (shravaka) of the Achalgachchha and significantly contributed his mind, body, and wealth to its propagation. His name is mentioned in various Achalgachchha Paṭṭāvalīs, ancient texts, and inscriptions.
• Death and Disputed Dates: The text presents varying accounts of Āryarakṣitsūri's demise. According to "Shatpadī" and "Laghu Shatpadī" by Shri Mahendrasūri, he passed away in VS 1026 at the age of 91. However, according to the Paṭṭāvalī of Shri Merutuṅgasūri, Āryarakṣitsūri died in VS 1236 at the age of 100 in Pāvāgaḍh after a seven-day fast. Other accounts mention his death in Beṇap (Bānasakāṇṭhā) around the same time, not in Pāvāgaḍh. The "Guru Paṭṭāvalī" composed by Muni Lākhā states that Āryarakṣitsūri passed away at the age of 100 on the banks of the Reṇu river.
• Historical Significance: Based on these accounts, Shri Āryarakṣitsūri is established as a prominent Acharya of the 12th-13th century Vikram Samvat. His introduction is also presented in the section titled "Prominent Pre-Acharyas of Achalgachchha."

In essence, the text portrays Āryarakṣitsūri as a pivotal Jain monk who reformed monastic practices, established the influential Achalgachchha to combat laxity, gained royal recognition, and left a lasting legacy through his teachings and the gachchha he founded. The differing accounts of his death highlight the challenges of reconstructing historical details from ancient texts.