Vijay Vallabhsuriji

This document is a biography of Acharya Shri Vijayvallabhsurishwarji Maharaj, a prominent Jain monk. Here's a summary of the provided text:

Early Life and Spiritual Calling:

• Acharya Vijayvallabhsurishwarji Maharaj was born as Chhaganbhai in Vadodara, Gujarat, in 1927 (VS). His parents, Dipchandbhai and Ichhaben, were deeply religious, and his mother, in particular, had a strong devotion to Jainism.
• Tragically, he lost both parents at a young age. His mother's dying words urged him to take refuge in Jainism and dedicate his life to the welfare of all beings. These words profoundly impacted him.
• Experiencing the emptiness of worldly life after the loss of his parents, Chhaganbhai found solace and meaning in visiting temples and spending time with monks. His innate spiritual inclination, possibly from past lives, began to strengthen.
• He completed his education up to the seventh standard, but his mind was drawn towards spiritual inquiry rather than worldly pursuits.

Meeting His Guru and Taking Diksha:

• A pivotal moment in his spiritual journey was meeting the illustrious Acharya Shri Vijayanandsurishwarji Maharaj (also known as Shri Atmaramji Maharaj) in Vadodara in 1942 (VS). Acharya Vijayanandsurishwarji Maharaj was a renowned figure, considered a "Yugapradhan" (leader of an era).
• Chhaganbhai was deeply impressed by Acharya Vijayanandsurishwarji Maharaj's detachment and eloquent discourses. He decided to dedicate his life to his Guru's feet.
• When Acharya Vijayanandsurishwarji Maharaj noticed Chhaganbhai still present after a discourse and asked his needs, the young boy expressed a desire for an inexhaustible supply of "wealth" like that possessed by the Guru. This indicated his aspiration for spiritual wealth.
• In 1943 (VS), with the consent of his family, Chhaganbhai received initiation (diksha) from Muni Shri Harshavijayji Maharaj in Radhanpur. His Dādāguru (Guru's Guru), Acharya Vijayanandsurishwarji Maharaj, bestowed upon him the name Muni Shri Vallabh Vijayji. The name "Vallabh" (meaning beloved or dear) proved prophetic as he became dearly loved.

Spiritual and Intellectual Growth:

• For the first three years of his monastic life (1943-1945 VS), Muni Shri Vallabh Vijayji focused on ascetic practices, meditation, and penance in places like Radhanpur, Mehsana, and Pali.
• Simultaneously, he diligently studied various scriptures under his father's guru, who was known as "Bhaiji Maharaj."
• He experienced a dual pull between serving his Dādāguru, Acharya Vijayanandsurishwarji Maharaj, who was already deeply imprinted on his heart, and caring for his diksha guru, Muni Shri Harshavijayji Maharaj, whose health was delicate. Prioritizing his diksha guru's service, he believed spiritual learning could wait, but service should not falter.
• In 1946 (VS), while in Delhi with his Guru, he learned of Acharya Vijayanandsurishwarji Maharaj's passing in Ambala. The loss was deeply felt, and he found solace only in the spiritual presence of his Dādāguru.

Taking on the Mantle and Vision for Education:

• Acharya Vijayanandsurishwarji Maharaj had a vision for Muni Shri Vallabh Vijayji to pursue advanced studies and become an expert in religion and philosophy. Attempts were made for him to study under scholars like Pandit Uttamchandji and Pandit Karmachandji, but success was partial.
• In 1948 (VS), Acharya Vijayanandsurishwarji Maharaj's fame had spread throughout India, and he had sponsored the participation of Shri Virchand Raghavji Gandhi in the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago, who successfully propagated Jainism in America and Europe. Muni Shri Vallabh Vijayji was a witness to these developments, deepening his knowledge.
• Recognizing the changing times and the need for modern education, both Acharya Vijayanandsurishwarji Maharaj and Muni Shri Vallabh Vijayji realized the importance of establishing "Saraswati Mandirs" (temples of knowledge) alongside "Jin Mandirs" (temples of Jain Tirthankaras).
• Tragically, Acharya Vijayanandsurishwarji Maharaj passed away in 1950 (VS) in Gujranwala. Before his passing, he entrusted Muni Shri Vallabh Vijayji with the responsibility of carrying forward their shared vision, emphasizing the need to gather support from the wise and wealthy.

Establishing Institutions and Propagating Jainism:

• Emerging from the grief of his Guru's demise, Muni Shri Vallabh Vijayji resolved to undertake significant activities in Punjab:
  • Establishment of "Atmanand Jain Sabha" in various cities.
  • Construction of a "Samadhi Mandir" (memorial temple) in Gujranwala.
  • Establishment of numerous "Pathshalas" (schools).
  • Publication of the "Atmanand" (Vijayanand) journal.
• He successfully fulfilled all these aspirations during his lifetime. Inspired by him, the "Shri Atmanand Jain College" was established in 1993 (VS) by Seth Shri Kasturbhai Lalbhai.
• For thirteen years after his Dādāguru's passing, he traveled extensively in Punjab, undertaking significant work in education, culture, and promoting unity within the Jain community. He earned the love of all religious people in Punjab and diligently fulfilled his Guru's directive to care for the region.

Pan-India Influence and Legacy:

• While Punjab was his primary field of work, he maintained a loving connection with all regions. He spent Chaturmas (four-month periods of retreat) in various places in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, including Palanpur, Patan, Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Radhanpur, Dabhoi, Miyagam, Khambhat, Palitana, Sadri, Falna, Bikaner, Mumbai, Pune, and Balapur.
• He spent his final years in the great city of Mumbai and passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Bhadarwa Sud 10, in 2010 (VS), at the ripe age of 84. This marked the completion of a significant chapter in the history of Jainism.

Key Life Works and Philosophy:

Acharya Shri Vijayvallabhsurishwarji Maharaj's multifaceted genius was inspired by his mother's teachings and nurtured by his Guru. His philosophy was to integrate personal spiritual welfare with the well-being of society.

• Personal Sadhana: He maintained personal spiritual discipline through prayer, penance, renunciation, tolerance, and equanimity, while remaining dedicated to serving society.
• Education for All: He believed in the necessity of both spiritual and modern education. Spiritual education would prevent modern learning from leading to atheism and self-indulgence, while modern education would earn respect and opportunities in various fields.
• Knowledge Dissemination:
  • He meticulously studied and taught religious scriptures, establishing numerous schools, educational institutions, and Jain colleges across Punjab, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Gujarat with the cooperation of both Jain and non-Jain communities.
  • He facilitated the publication of ancient literature and oversaw the restoration of the ancient knowledge repository in Khambhat.
  • He founded the "Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya" in Mumbai in 1915 (VS) to provide modern education to the middle and poor classes and to propagate high-quality Jain literature. This institution grew and expanded with branches in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Pune, Vallabh Vidyanagar, and Bhavnagar.
• Sangh Unity: He possessed a broad vision, transcending distinctions of sects, doctrines, and sub-sects within Jainism. He actively promoted unity, organizing gatherings and resolving differences to foster an atmosphere of cooperation and mutual understanding. He believed all followers of Lord Mahavir should unite in His name, focusing on soul purification through love, detachment, and humility.
• Social Reform: He was a dynamic yogi, recognized as a reformer and a visionary. He believed that any monastic order should not remain detached from the lay community. Monks should contribute to making society free from addiction, enlightened, discerning, and virtuous. He understood that a society lacking education, wealth, and courage often falls prey to superstition and blind adherence to tradition.
  • Eradication of Addiction: He inspired and took vows from individuals across all strata of society, from the poor and uneducated to the wealthy and royalty, to abstain from alcohol, meat, hunting, and gambling.
  • Fostering Love and Unity: He actively worked to resolve conflicts within families, sects, administration, institutions, and the community, often extending his stay to mediate. He emphasized a singular focus on God, a shared mantra, and a common path, urging followers to shed minor rituals, individual preferences, and sectarian biases, and to embrace the principles of non-violence and non-possession. He advocated for treating all beings with love, equanimity, goodwill, cooperation, and partnership, encouraging broad-mindedness and appreciation of virtues.
  • Upliftment of the Middle Class: He was concerned about the disparity where the wealthy enjoyed comforts while the middle and lower classes struggled for basic necessities and education. He believed in enabling people to earn their livelihood through professions, jobs, and enterprise rather than merely providing monetary aid. He established industrial centers in places like Bikaner, Palitana, Khambhat, and Mumbai and arranged for the distribution of food, clothing, school fees, and books. He believed that prosperity often detaches people from religiosity and that the middle and lower classes are crucial for the development of religious traditions.
  • Redirecting Charity: He advocated for a shift in the spirit of donation, suggesting that wealth from temples should be utilized for the betterment of society rather than accumulating in treasuries.
  • Bridging Generations: In his discourses, he advised against dismissing youth as atheistic and cautioned youth against disrespecting elders as superstitious. He urged both generations to participate in social upliftment. He encouraged householders to abandon superstitions and blind beliefs and propagate true education, while advising elders to engage in pilgrimage, service to holy places and monks, and charitable activities.
  • Reforming Social and Religious Malpractices: He made significant efforts to eradicate social ills such as the sale of brides and grooms, mandatory feasts for the Ashtadhai festival, the use of silk and saffron in temples, the use of products derived from animal cruelty (soap, leather goods), and the denial of modern education to girls. He achieved considerable success in these endeavors.

Conclusion:

Acharya Shri Vijayvallabhsurishwarji Maharaj possessed a vast, ocean-like vision and was not just a Jain Acharya but one of India's great saints. He held a vision of universal religious harmony. He offered a new, modern perspective to a society steeped in rituals and blind adherence to tradition, awakening people to the importance of education and societal progress. He believed that "religion is not merely temples and monasteries, but a comprehensive vision of life and the values manifested in all life activities." A religion without a broad perspective is like a frog in a well. He was a true visionary and a timely Acharya. The current prosperity and strength of Jainism are attributed to such capable Acharyas. The text concludes with immense reverence for his divine life, which achieved the highest peaks of personal and societal welfare.