Samvat 2014 Nu Year 1958 Muni Sammelan Ahmedabad - Book Summary

This document, "Samvat 2014 nu Year 1958 Muni Sammelan Ahmedabad" by Shilchandrasuri, details the events leading up to and the proceedings of a significant Jain monastic conference held in Ahmedabad in 1958. The primary goal of this conference was to address and resolve the long-standing dispute within the Tapa Gachchha sect regarding the calculation of festival dates (Tithi) and the observance of Samvatsari (a significant Jain observance).

Here's a summary of the key points:

The Need for Unity: The year 2013 Vikram Samvat (1957 CE) brought a sense of hope for unity within the Tapa Gachchha. There was a growing desire among leaders and lay followers (Shravaks) for a uniform observance of festival dates and Samvatsari across the entire sect.
Attempted Reconciliation: Leaders from both sides of the Tithi dispute, including Acharya Shri Vijay Premsuriji and Acharya Shri Vijayanandansuriji, were engaged in discussions and negotiations. They expressed a willingness to abandon the practice of adjusting festival dates (Kshay-Vriddhi) based on new interpretations.
Obstacles to Unity: Despite these efforts, the reconciliation efforts faced significant resistance from a segment of disciples and devotees who held rigid views. This prevented the more conciliatory Acharyas from fully implementing their desired reforms. The constant arguments and disagreements between the two factions were causing distress to the community.
The Call for a Muni Sammelan: Seth Shri Keshavlal Lallubhai Zaveri proposed convening a Muni Sammelan (gathering of monks) to address the contentious issue of Tithi calculation. He believed that only through a collective meeting of the leading Acharyas could a resolution be found. This idea was enthusiastically supported by many community leaders.
Organizing the Sammelan: Seth Keshavbhai took charge of organizing the event. A large committee of 71 members, comprising the administrators of all Upashrayas (monastic residences) in Ahmedabad, was formed. Seth Keshavbhai actively communicated and consulted with the Acharyas from both factions.
Challenges in Securing Attendance: The primary challenge was to get Acharya Shri Vijayanandansuriji to attend. Despite his strong desire for unity, his poor health (gas, liver pain, and general weakness) made travel difficult. He was hesitant to attend due to his physical condition, but the organizers, particularly Seth Keshavbhai, emphasized the critical need for his presence, stating that his absence would be interpreted by the opposing side as a lack of willingness from his community to resolve the issue.
The Persuasion of Shri Vijayanandansuriji: There was extensive correspondence between Seth Keshavbhai and Acharya Shri Vijayanandansuriji. The Seth repeatedly requested the Acharya's presence, highlighting that the conference could not reach a decision without him. The Acharya, though ill, was deeply committed to unity and eventually, after much deliberation and encouragement, decided to attend. He began his journey, but his health forced him to halt it.
Continued Pressure and Support: Many other prominent individuals and organizations, including Seth Anandji Kalyanji's firm, expressed the critical importance of Acharya Shri Vijayanandansuriji's presence. Letters poured in, emphasizing his unique wisdom, influence, and the community's reliance on his guidance for achieving unity. Acharya Shri Vijayasuriji also decided to travel to Ahmedabad, but due to the importance of both Acharyas being present, the initial auspicious date for the Sammelan was postponed.
The Arrival of Shri Vijayanandansuriji: Despite his health concerns, Acharya Shri Vijayanandansuriji was motivated by the collective plea and the importance of the cause. He eventually decided to attend and travel to Ahmedabad. His arrival was met with great joy and anticipation.
The Proceedings and Stalemate: The conference began with the aim of restoring unity and peace. However, the fundamental issue of Tithi calculation, particularly concerning the "twelve festival dates" (Baara Parva Tithi), proved to be a major stumbling block.
The Core Disagreement: The opposing faction aimed to have their new Tithi calculation system, introduced in 1992, officially recognized. They sought to gain acceptance for their interpretation and perhaps create further divisions within the Tapa Gachchha.
Shri Vijayanandansuriji's Stance: Acharya Shri Vijayanandansuriji took a firm stand, asserting that the traditional practice of not adjusting the twelve festival dates (i.e., not counting their Kshay-Vriddhi and instead focusing on non-festival days) was the correct and ancient practice, followed by generations of revered Acharyas. He declared that this tradition was not a subject for debate, calling it a "mother" that could not be altered, whereas other Tithi matters like Samvatsari could be discussed. He challenged the opposing side to provide written proof of anyone preceding them in observing the Kshay-Vriddhi of these twelve festival dates.
The Failure of the Opposing Side: The opposing faction failed to produce any written evidence to support their new practice. Their reliance on oral accounts and interpretations of letters proved insufficient. They attempted to argue that certain letters were "prarupana" (preaching/propagation) rather than "acharana" (practice), further complicating the issue.
The Climax of the Dispute: The debate became heated. Seth Keshavlal Lallubhai's intervention, suggesting the twelve festival dates be a subject of discussion, was met with a strong rebuke from Acharya Shri Vijayanandansuriji, who emphasized that it was not the role of the organizer to define the scope of the debate. The opposing side's insistence on discussing the twelve festival dates led to a deadlock.
A Proposed Solution and Rejection: A proposal was made for five senior Acharyas to deliberate and suggest a way forward. However, Acharya Shri Vijayaramachandrasuri (from the opposing side) expressed doubt about the suitability of these five individuals, implying they might not be competent enough to interpret the scriptures correctly. This further escalated the tension.
The Conference Ends in Failure: The conference ultimately failed to achieve its primary goal of resolving the Tithi dispute. The core issue of the twelve festival dates remained unresolved due to the rigid stance of the opposing faction, characterized by a lack of "saralta" (simplicity/openness) and "kadagrah" (stubbornness).
The Outcome and Legacy: Despite the apparent failure to achieve unity, the conference served to strengthen the unity and organization of the 'Ek Tithi Paksha' (the faction supporting Acharya Shri Vijayanandansuriji). It reinforced their commitment to the traditional Tithi calculation. The event led to a decisive statement from the Devsur Tapa Gachchha reaffirming their stance on the Tithi issue. While some consider the conference a failure, it is also viewed as a significant event that preserved the traditional practices and prevented the dilution of Jain principles due to external pressures or financial influence. The document concludes by suggesting that if Acharya Shri Vijayanandansuriji had not attended, the situation would have been even worse, and that his efforts were crucial in protecting the Shasan (Jain religious order).