Vallabhsuri
| Acharya Vallabhsuri | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Official name | Acharya Vijay Vallabh Suri |
| Religion | Jainism |
| Personal | |
| Born |
Chhagan October 26, 1870 Vadodara, Gujarat |
| Died |
22 September 1954 (aged 83) Byculla, Mumbai |
| Parents | Deepchand, Icchabai |
| Senior posting | |
| Successor | Samudra Suri |
| Religious career | |
| Initiation |
Vallabhvijay 5 May 1887 by Vijayanandsuri (Atmaram) |
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Acharya Vijay Vallabh Suri was a Jain monk. He is also known as Punjab Kesari. He was a disciple of Vijayanandsuri. He worked for the religious as well as improving the social life of people. He worked actively in Punjab.[1]
Early life
He was born on 26 October 1870 (Second day of bright half of Kartik month, Vikram Samvat 1927) at Vadodara, Gujarat. He was named Chhagan.[1] His parents Deepchand and Ichhabai died in his early years.
Ascetic life
He met Vijayanandsuri at Janiseri Jain Upashray, Vadodara. At the age of 17 years, he was initiated as a Jain monk Muni Vallabhvijay on 5 May 1887 (Jayesth Vad 9, Vikram Samvat 1944) by Vijayanandsuri and became disciple of Muni Harshvijay. In Vikram Samvat 1981, he was conferred the title of Acharya on Magshirsh Sudi 5 by Sumtivijay at Lahore. He also had the title of Pattadhar conferred on him by Jain sangha.
Vallabhsuri was in Gujranwala for Chaturmas in 1947. Due to the partition of India, Gujaranwala fell in Pakistan. There was widespread communal violence across both nations. He refused travel by plane which was arranged by the Government of India as Jain monks do not use vehicles. He travelled by foot along with other Jains of Gujaranwala and entered India via the Wagah Border unharmed.
Later life
Throughout his life, Vallabhsuri placed emphasis on education and inspired Jains to build more educational institutions. He founded Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya (at Mumbai, Vadodara, Pune), Parshwanath Umed Mahavidyalaya (at Falna), Atmanand Jain College (at Ambala, Malerkotla), Atmanand Jain High School (Ludhiana, Ambala, Malerkotla, Bagwada, Hoshiarpur, Jandiala Guru) and other educational institutes.[1] He wrote some books and religious texts in Hindi, Gujarati, Punjabi Languages. He also established Atmanand Jain Sabha. He supported Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent movement for independence of India.[2]
Death
He died on 22 September 1954 (Asoj Vadi 11, Vikram Samvat 2011), Tuesday at 2:32 am in Byculla, Mumbai.[1] A memorial dedicated to him was built there later.
Legacy
His disciples are now a part of Atam - Vallabh Samudai, an ascetic grouping. Their leader is known as Pattadhar. Successors of it in chronological order are:
- Vijayanandsuri
- Vallabhsuri
- Samudrasuri
- Indradinnsuri
- Ratnakarsuri
Recognition
- Vijay Vallabh Smarak, a Memorial in Delhi was erected to honour him. It is managed by Shri Atma Vallabh Jain Smarak Shikshan Nidhi.[2]
- India Post issued a postage stamp of Vallabhsuri on 21 February 2009 which depicted his image along with Vijay Vallabh Smarak as a background image.
See also
Notes
- 1 2 3 4 "Acharya Vijay Vallabh Suri". herenow4u.com. Retrieved 28 December 2012.
- 1 2 Titze, Kurt (1998). Jainism: A Pictorial Guide to the Religion of Non-Violence. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. p. 136. ISBN 9788120815346. Retrieved 28 December 2012.
References
- Jainism: The World of Conquerors By Natubhai Shah, 1998 Sussex Academic Press
External links
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