http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jain_Dharma Acharya Vidyasagar (Kannada:ಆಚಾರ್ಯ ವಿದ್ಯಾಸಾಗರ್, Sanskrit:आचार्य विद्यासागर) is one of the best known modern Jain Acharya.[1] He is known both for his scholarship and tapasya.[2] Biography[edit] He was born as Vidyadhar on 10 October 1946 on sharad Purnima in Sadalga, District Belgaum, Karnataka. His father was Shri Mallappa, who later became Muni Mallisagar. His mother Shrimati later became Aryika Samayamati. He was initiated as a monk at the age of twenty-two by Acharya Gyansagar, who belonged to the lineage of Acharya Shantisagar, at Ajmer in 1968. He was elevated to the Acharya status in 1972.[2] Acharya Vidyasagara is an expert in Sanskrit, Prakrit and several modern languages such as Hindi, Marathi and Kannada. He has been a prolific author in Hindi and Sanskrit. Several researchers have studied his works for masters and doctoral degrees.[3] His works include Niranjana Shataka, Bhavana Shataka, Parishah Jaya Shataka, Suniti Shataka and Shramana Shataka. He authored the hindi epic poem Mukamati.[2][3] This has been also included in the syllabus of MA Hindi in various institutions.[4] Acharya Vidyasagar has been a source of inspiration to the people for starting institutions for the welfare of living beings at different places.[2] Acharya Vidyasagar has been a source of inspiration for religious functions. He has initiated more than 125 monks,[5][6] a number unmatched in the past nine centuries. Several Panch kalyanak and Gajrath Mahotsava have been organized at different places of the country in his presence like Drongiri, Chattarpur (M.P), Bina Baraha Sagar (M.P), Morena (M.P), Madanganj Kishangarh Ajmer Raj, khajurahro, kundalgri, koniji, Jabalpur Padmanabhpur - Durg (CG) etc. Acharya Vidyasagar has been a source of inspiration for the construction, development and renovation of Jain temples and images all over India.[2][2] He has always inspired to invite scholars of eminence to have discourses on different subjects. He has also taken classes to teach his disciples different Granthas. His tradition[edit] He belongs to the tradition established by Acharya Shantisagar. Acharya Shantisagar initiated Acharya Virsagar. He was then succeeded by Acharya Shivsagar, Acharya Gyansagar and finally Acharya Vidyasagara. Two of his brothers, Muni Yogasagarji and Muni Samaysagarji also followed him and were initiated as muni (monks) by Acharya Vidyasagar. Some of his disciples are well known scholars of their own right. As of 2001, about 21% of all the digambar monks were under Acharya Vidyasagara.[7][8] Jainism From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (Redirected from Jain Dharma) This is a good article. Click here for more information. Jainism In-jain.svg Jain Flag Jain Prateek Chihna.svg The symbol of Jainism Total population about 5 million Founder Adinatha Regions with significant populations India, Belgium, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, United States Scriptures Agama Languages Prakrit, Sanskrit, Kannada, Tamil, Gujarati, Hindi Jainism /ˈdʒeɪnɪz(ə)m/, traditionally known as Jaina dharma (Sanskrit: जैन धर्म),[1] is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of ahimsa - nonviolence - towards all living beings, and emphasizes spiritual independence and equality between all forms of life. Practitioners believe that nonviolence and self-control are the means by which they can obtain liberation. Currently Jainism is divided into two major sects, Digambara and Śvētāmbara. The word Jainism is derived from the Sanskrit verb root jin ("to conquer"). It refers to a battle with the passions and bodily pleasures that the Jain ascetics undertake. Those who win this battle are termed as Jina (conqueror). The term Jaina is therefore used to refer to laymen and ascetics of this tradition alike. Jainism is one of the oldest religions in the world.[2] Jains traditionally trace their history through a succession of twenty-four propagators of their faith known as tirthankaras with Rishabha as the first and Mahāvīra as the last of the current era. For long periods of time, Jainism was the state religion of Indian kingdoms and widely adopted in the Indian subcontinent. The religion has been in decline since the 8th century CE due to the growth of, and oppression by the followers of Hinduism[3] and Islam.[4] Jainism is a religious minority in India, with 4.2 million adherents, and there are small but notable immigrant communities in Belgium, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and the United States.[5] Jains have the highest degree of literacy of any religious community in India (94.1 percent),[6] and their manuscript libraries are the oldest in the country.[7] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jain_Dharma

• published: 07 Jul 2014
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