Rajendrasuri A Reformer And Revivalist

This document, "Rajendra Suri: A Reformer and Revivalist" by B. N. Luniya, discusses the state of Hindu society and religion in India during periods of foreign rule and the subsequent impact of British rule and Western culture. It highlights various reform movements that emerged, including the Brahmo Samaj, Prarthana Samaj, and Arya Samaj, and their contributions to social and religious reform. The text then focuses on the Jain community and the challenges it faced in the 19th century, detailing the decline in scriptural study, the prevalence of superstition, and the luxurious lifestyles of some Jain ascetics (yatis).

The core of the document is the portrayal of Acharya Rajendrasuri as a pivotal reformer and revivalist within Jainism. Born in 1827, he renounced worldly life and became a Jain yati. He was deeply troubled by the corruption, materialism, and neglect of scriptures within the Jain monastic order. Witnessing the luxurious and princely lifestyle of his guru, Dharanendrasuri, which contradicted Jain principles of non-possession and non-violence, was a turning point for Rajendrasuri.

In 1864, Rajendrasuri broke away and initiated a significant reform movement. He vehemently condemned the opulent lives of the yatis and advocated for a return to the strict principles of Jainism as laid down by the Tirthankaras and scriptures. His efforts culminated in a nine-point manifesto that outlined the principles for the yatis to follow, emphasizing purity, simplicity, celibacy, non-possession, non-violence, and active teaching and preaching. This manifesto, despite initial opposition, gained acceptance, even from Dharanendrasuri himself. As a result, yatis renounced their worldly possessions and symbols of status, dedicating themselves to a life of spiritual discipline and propagation of Jain teachings.

Rajendrasuri's influence extended beyond the reformation of the yati institution. He was a key figure in the revival of Jainism through:

• Restoration and reconstruction of Jain temples.
• Installation of Jain images.
• Establishment of socio-religious organizations for the betterment of Jains and the spread of Jainism.
• Active teaching and preaching in simple vernacular languages across regions like Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Malwa, making Jain principles accessible to the masses.
• Encouraging profound study of Jain scriptures among monks.
• Bringing forgotten Jain works to light, personally collecting, editing, and writing important texts.

His most monumental contribution was the compilation of the Abhidhan-Rajendra, a comprehensive Jain encyclopedia in seven volumes. This work alone solidifies his position as a significant Jain scholar and a pioneer of religious reform movements in the 19th century. In essence, Rajendrasuri revitalized Jainism by restoring its core values, reforming its monastic order, and making its teachings accessible and relevant to the people.