Vijay Premsuriji - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text about Acharya Shrimad Vijaypremsurishwarji Maharaj:

The text is a biographical account of Acharya Shrimad Vijaypremsurishwarji Maharaj, a highly revered Jain monk and scholar. It details his life, spiritual journey, and significant contributions to Jainism.

Early Life and Renunciation:

Born in Nandiya in 1940 Vikram Samvat (VS), his birth name was Premchand.
He received a practical education and moved to Vyara, Gujarat, for business.
Inspired by visiting monks, he developed a strong desire for renunciation.
He undertook a challenging pilgrimage to Palitana, walking a significant distance and traveling by vehicle to reach the holy site.
He took initiation (diksha) in 1947 VS at Palitana under the guidance of Upadhyay Shri Viravijayji Maharaj and Muni Shri Danvijayji Maharaj, becoming Muni Premvijayji.

Spiritual Growth and Virtues:

Discipline and Devotion: He was deeply devoted to his gurus, anticipating their needs from their subtle gestures and expressions. He diligently practiced virtues like service (vaiyavachch), self-study (swadhyaya), pure alms-round (nirgosh), fasting, austere wandering, detachment, and learnedness.
Service to the Sick (Galanseva): A foremost virtue of Muni Premvijayji was his unwavering service to sick monks. He personally managed the alms-round for ill monks and made their well-being his life's mission, embodying the scripture that serving the sick is serving him. This dedication extended even after he attained higher positions.
Study of Scriptures (Shrut Sadhana): Alongside his devotional practices, he was a dedicated scholar. He studied grammar, logic, literature, and other scriptures, deeply analyzing the Jain Agamas. He emphasized the importance of studying texts like the Shatrasutra and diligently taught them to other monks, believing that complete learnedness comes from thorough scriptural study.
Practical Application of Knowledge: He was deeply committed to living by the principles he studied. He practiced daily fasts, walked long distances for the designated alms-round locations, adhered strictly to the thirty-two faults of alms-round and the five faults of mandali (eating utensils), and spent his days in study and contemplation. His knowledge was not for mere intellectualism but for self-realization and guiding others.
Utsarg and Apavada Knowledge: He possessed profound knowledge of Jain principles, understanding when to follow the general rule (utsarg) and when to apply exceptions (apavada) based on time, place, and circumstance, guiding the community with wisdom and tradition.
Unity of the Sangha: Deeply pained by divisions within the Jain community, he actively worked to resolve them. He successfully addressed the issue of differing calendrical dates within the Tapagachchha, uniting the community.
Intellectual Acumen: His intellect was exceptionally sharp, allowing him to unravel complex philosophical texts. He meticulously researched and edited difficult works like "Anekaant Jaypataka" and "Karma Prakriti," contributing significantly to Jain literature. He also imparted his knowledge of these complex texts to numerous monks and lay followers.
Attraction to Scholars: His vast knowledge even attracted non-Jain scholars. His studies in Vadodara led to an influential connection with the state's royal scholar, resulting in the organization of discourses and the inclusion of Jain scriptures in the state's educational curriculum.
Detachment (Nihspruhata): He was profoundly detached from material possessions. He owned no personal books or stationery, returning borrowed materials immediately. He lived with minimal possessions, owning only what was essential for his practice. Despite his capabilities, he remained humble and avoided positions of prominence, initially being reluctantly persuaded to accept higher monastic titles.
Asceticism (Brahmacharya): He was a paragon of celibacy, maintaining an impeccable purity of body, speech, and mind throughout his life. This powerful asceticism had a profound effect on those around him, calming desires and fostering spiritual inclination. He was dedicated to nurturing the spiritual growth of his disciples and actively guided them in their practices. He trained many young men from good families into the monastic order, believing in the importance of educated individuals dedicating themselves to the spiritual path.
Celibacy Protection: He was highly vigilant in protecting the celibacy of those under his care. Even at an advanced age, he maintained an unwavering gaze, never looking at women or nuns inappropriately. He enforced strict adherence to celibacy within his monastic community. He permitted nuns to be maintained only by the senior Acharya Vijayayashodeva Surishwarji, demonstrating his commitment to preserving the integrity of the monastic order. He fought against unrighteous practices, unrighteous paths, and lack of discipline throughout his life.
Giver of Initiation (Diksha Danvir): His compassion, wisdom, and discipline attracted numerous souls, leading them to embrace the path of complete renunciation. He nurtured and guided a large monastic community, significantly increasing the number of monks from his guru's legacy to hundreds. He focused on providing proper training and guidance to newly initiated monks, developing them into learned, disciplined, eloquent, and ascetic individuals who continue to serve Jainism.
Protection of Jainism: He actively countered challenges to Jainism, such as disputes regarding initiation and misuse of temple funds. He played a pivotal role in preventing a law that would have restricted child initiation, mobilizing public opinion and intellectuals against it, successfully influencing political decisions.
Affection (Vatsalya): He possessed immense affection, drawing many virtuous souls to him and fostering the growth of hundreds of excellent monks. He had a unique ability to guide even those with faults, correcting them with affectionate instruction and purifying their lives.
Fasting and Renunciation (Tap-Tyaag): He was a master of fasting and renunciation. He abstained from sweets, nuts, and fruits lifelong. He undertook strict fasts, including specific forms of fasting (ekasana) on just roti and dal, inspiring many monks. He held severe vows, such as not keeping more than a certain number of possessions, not using exaggerated adjectives, performing penances for minor infractions, and observing strict purification rituals. He even bypassed chewing food during his alms-round to avoid developing taste preferences.
Equanimity (Samata): He was incredibly patient and resilient. He endured severe pain from a chronic ailment for 50 years, treating the discomfort as a friendly visitor and opting for simple hot water compresses rather than medication. He even gave up this gentle treatment in his final days, resolving to endure all suffering. Despite his advanced age and a heart attack, he continued his spiritual journeys, often being carried on a stretcher. In his last Chaturmas in Khambhat, he faced immense physical suffering with remarkable equanimity.
Dedication to the Sangha: He was consistently concerned with the welfare of the four-fold Jain community and worked tirelessly for the preservation of principles and monastic discipline. He possessed the art of bringing consensus and maintaining peace within the Sangha, often using his understanding of exceptions to resolve disputes.
Promoter of Jainism (Shasan Prabhavana): He was a great promoter of Jainism, creating many well-disciplined monks. Under his guidance, numerous grand consecration ceremonies were held in various locations. He organized religious camps for the youth, fostering their spiritual development and inspiring many to embrace the path of complete renunciation. He prioritized the protection of sacred sites, sending monks to important pilgrimage locations.

Final Moments and Legacy:

His last Chaturmas was in Khambhat in VS 2023, where he continued his rigorous spiritual practices and faced his illnesses with composure.
He remained engaged in scholarly pursuits, studying scriptures and composing poetry until his final moments.
He passed away peacefully in Ahmedabad in VS 2047 (July 1991) at the age of 96, after a brief period of discomfort, having completed 77 years and 6 months of monastic life.
His passing was a profound loss to the Jain community, creating immense grief and a sense of deep loss. A grand procession and funeral were held, and a memorial shrine was erected at his cremation site, with his sandals consecrated.

The text concludes by acknowledging him as a pillar of Jainism, a yogic figure, a supreme scholar, and a dedicated follower of principles. It also briefly mentions his successor, Acharya Shrimad Vijayramchandrasurishwarji Maharaj.