Yognishtha Acharya Buddhisagarji - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Yognishtha Acharya Buddhisagarji" by Atmanandji, based on the provided pages:

Yognishtha Acharya Buddhisagarji: A Tri-Confluence of Knowledge, Yoga, and Spiritual Literature

This text is a biographical account of Acharya Buddhisagarji, a revered and widely accepted spiritual seeker of the 20th century in Gujarat. He is described as a unique blend of dedication to knowledge, yoga, and the creation of spiritual literature.

Early Life and Inclination Towards Jainism:

Born on Shivaratri in V.S. 1930 (around 1873 AD) in Vijapur village, Mehsana district, Gujarat, to a devout couple, Shivabhai Patel and Ambaben.
His childhood name was Behchar.
He was an excellent student, reaching the sixth grade with high marks and earning the affection of his teachers.
From childhood, Behchar was compassionate, contemplative, preferred solitude, and was philanthropic.
At the age of fifteen, he bravely saved Jain monks from an attack by a buffalo. This incident, coupled with the monks' teachings about the suffering of animals and the sin of harming them, sparked his interest in Jainism.
He began attending discourses and associating with the monks regularly.
His soul was deeply influenced by past life impressions, leading him to embrace the core tenets of Jainism: ahimsa (non-violence), kshama (forgiveness), udarata (generosity), tyaga (renunciation), and shastra-swadhyaya (study of scriptures).
He developed a deep love for these principles and for the welfare of all beings.
He was keen on learning and studied Hindi, English, and Sanskrit through his own efforts.
He later worked as a religious teacher in Ajol village, where he further expanded his knowledge of religion, history, ethics, and yoga, firmly establishing himself on the path of virtuous conduct.
To pursue his thirst for knowledge further, he moved to Mehsana with the support of Shri Venichandbhai to study Sanskrit and Nyaya (logic) and utilize the benefits of its extensive libraries.

Embracing Asceticism:

Behchardasji's resolve to take diksha (initiation) strengthened after the passing of his parents.
He received diksha in Palanpur on Margashirsh Sud 6, V.S. 1957 (around 1900 AD), from Shri Sukhsagarji Maharaj, a disciple of Shri Ravisagarji.
He was renamed Muni Buddhisagar.

A Yoga Practitioner Harmonizing Time and Place:

From a young age, he possessed a detached wisdom. He firmly believed that spiritual practice was the best path for spiritual advancement.
He continued his pursuit of knowledge and meditation.
He disregarded petty disputes and differences between various Jain sects.
His dedication was towards the elevated values of the broader Arya culture and to guide all beings towards ultimate peace through self-realization.
He engaged in profound solitary practices and created accessible, simple, potent, and beneficial literature for the common person, thereby rendering a great service.
He showed the true path of knowledge and conduct to a society lost in superstitions, mantras, tantras, and ritualistic practices devoid of true feeling.
He preached the pure essence of the soul (Atmadharma) to all of humanity, transcending differences of age, social status, wealth, religion, gender, caste, and sect, and guided them toward the righteous path.

Service to Religion and Society Alongside Spiritual Practice:

After his initiation, he dedicated his free time to public welfare, earning popularity across all sections of society.
His teachings inspired kings of various states in Gujarat, such as Vadodara, Idar, Mansa, and Pethapur, to prohibit hunting, violence, alcohol, and gambling on certain days.
He was honored with the title of "Shastra Visharad" (Scholar of Scriptures) by learned assemblies.
He traveled extensively, visiting villages according to the saying, "A Sadhu is best when moving." However, he had a special attraction to three locations:
1. Boriya-Mahadev (near Vijapur): Where he received valuable guidance from Yogi Sadanand Saraswati.
2. Idar (Sabarkantha): This ancient town, with its hilly terrain, secluded caves, old temples, and dense forests, greatly appealed to him. He spent weeks here for solitary spiritual practice and mantra chanting.
3. Shri Kesariyaji (Southern Rajasthan): In this peaceful, mountainous pilgrimage site, he experienced great inner peace after visiting Baba Rishabhdev, who is revered by all sections of society. Like Idar, he spent many days here in solitary practice.

Acharyahood and Religious Sentiments:

On Maha Sud Poonam, V.S. 1970 (around 1913 AD), he was bestowed with the title of Acharya in the presence of a large Jain congregation.
His primary interest lay in fostering knowledge and virtuous conduct in society, building self-confidence, and cultivating love and a sense of belonging towards family, community, religion, country, and all of humanity, enabling them to live a vibrant life.
To achieve these goals, he provided guidance to society in various ways.
After the Chaturmas in Ahmedabad in V.S. 1963, at the insistence of Seth Lallubhai Raiji, he came to Ahmedabad and enlightened both Jains and non-Jains.
He engaged in interfaith dialogues with prominent figures like Lala Lajpatrai, the Thakur of Limbdi, the Collector-Commissioner of Ahmedabad, and renunciates from Hindu, Swaminarayan, Sthanakvasi, and Arya Samaj communities. He resolved many doubts and explained the eternal Arya truths of truth, non-violence, non-possession, and liberal thought in their respective methods.

Promoter of Spiritual Knowledge and Literary Service:

With the aim of spreading Lord Mahavir's message to the common populace in a simple and direct language, the Adhyatmik Jnan Prasarak Mandal (Spiritual Knowledge Dissemination Society) was established in Mansa (Mehsana district) on Kartak Sud Pancham, V.S. 1965 (around 1908 AD), which is the auspicious day of Gyan Panchami.
This organization lived up to its name, publishing approximately 125 books in Gujarati, Sanskrit, Hindi, and Magadhi.
The library of this society encompassed various subjects like philosophy, history, spiritual yoga practice, criticism, translations, biographies, and social reform.
These books were accessible and beneficial not only to specific communities or sects but to everyone, from ordinary individuals to professors, lawyers, doctors, scholars, historians, and ascetics, aiming to elevate daily life.
Several books are highly recommended for the general public and spiritual seekers, including: Samadhi Shatak, Paramatma Darshan, Yoga Deepak, Adhyatmik Shanti, Karma Yoga, Adhyatmik Gita, Dhyan Vichar, Atmashakti Prakash, Atmadarshan, Anandghanpad Bhavarth Sangrah, Shrimad Devchandraji, Kumarpal Charitra, Yashovijay Charitra, Adhyatmik Bhajan Sangrah (Parts 1-14), Shuddhopayog, Samya Shatak, Shishyopanishad, and Atma nu Shasan.

Disciples:

While his primary focus was on creating eternal scriptures, he also initiated several virtuous souls into asceticism.
His prominent disciples included: Ajitsagar, Kirtisagar, Bhaktisagar, Amrutssagar, Jitsagar, and Riddhisagar.
The traditions of Ajitsagarji and Kirtisagarji produced many influential monks, including Kailassagarji, Subodhsagarji, and Padmsagarji, who greatly contributed to the propagation of the faith.
The tradition continues to thrive, with Mahudi Tirth gaining significant popularity and development. The monks from his lineage are actively spreading the faith through their knowledgeable, virtuous, inspiring, and radiant personalities across India. They are expected to play a leading role in advancing the practice of spiritual yoga and fostering a broad, non-sectarian perspective.

Qualities of the Virtuous:

The text lists several qualities that characterized Acharya Buddhisagarji:

A seeker of truth with a broad perspective and appreciation for virtues.
Courage and bravery.
Foresight.
Consistent and diligent effort.
Faith in and continuous practice of scriptural knowledge.
Equanimity towards all religions.
Compassion.
Progress in knowledge and detachment born of renunciation.
Steadfastness in observing vows and constant effort.
Intense love for the faith and a broad Jain perspective.
A spirit of spreading scriptural knowledge among both Jains and non-Jains through the establishment of the Bharat Jain Mahashanalay (Library).
Dedication to and continuous practice of yoga.

Later Years and Mahaprayan (Demise):

After receiving Acharyahood in Mansa in V.S. 1970, he spent most of his Chaturmas in Vijapur, Mansa, and Pethapur, except for two in Sanand.
In V.S. 1976, he contracted diabetes, which gradually worsened.
In V.S. 1980, a prominent doctor in Anand diagnosed his condition as serious.
However, he was not worried about death. He made arrangements for the publication of his remaining works.
In V.S. 1980, on Maha Sud Dashami, his principal disciples were appointed as Acharya (Ajitsagar), Ganini (Mahendrasagar), and Pravartaka (Riddhisagar).
In the same year, on Margashirsh Sud Beej, he established the idol of Ghantakarna Veer in Mahudi, attracting both Jains and non-Jains to the faith.
In V.S. 1981, he entered his 25th year of diksha and his final year of life.
Due to severe diabetes, various ailments began to manifest in his body.
He preached to the Political Agent of Padra and then traveled from Mansa, Lodhra, and Vijapur to reach Mahudi.
After the demise of Shri Riddhisagarji in Chaitra, he experienced a sense of loneliness. His health further declined, but his inner resolve and commitment to his life's ideals of self-welfare remained unwavering.
The Vijapur Sangha insisted on taking him, and he was carried on a palanquin early in the morning to Vijapur. Muni Mahendrasagar accompanied him, providing constant service.
Occasional chants of "Aho Mahavir" could be heard.
After arriving in Vijapur in the morning, about one to two hours later, on Jeth Vad Tritiya, V.S. 1981 (around 1924 AD), at 8:30 AM, Acharya Buddhisagarji peacefully departed on his journey to eternity, bidding farewell to the vast Chaturvidh Sangha.