Addressing a special
commemorative programme and spiritual discourse at Gunayatan on
Friday, Muni Praman Sagar said the day is not merely a remembrance of Acharya
Vidyasagar receiving monkhood, but a historic milestone marking the revival of
the true Jain monastic path in an era when many believed that genuine Digambar
monks could no longer exist.
He explained that
countless seekers have accepted monkhood since the time of Lord Mahavira, but
Acharya Vidyasagar's initiation holds unique significance because it rekindled
confidence in the Jain monastic tradition at a time when doubts had become
widespread. Through his life of rigorous penance, absolute renunciation, and
flawless conduct, he dispelled those misconceptions and restored the dignity of
the monkhood.
Recalling an incident
involving renowned Jain scholar Pandit Kailashchandra Siddhant Shastri, Muni Praman Sagar said the scholar
had lost faith in monks until he had the first darshan of Acharya Vidyasagar.
The experience completely transformed his outlook, prompting him to remark that
anyone whose faith in monks had weakened should simply have the darshan of Acharya
Vidyasagar, and all doubts would disappear. According to the Muni, this
incident symbolized the revival of the Jain monastic tradition in modern times.
He further observed
that had Acharya Vidyasagar not appeared during such a difficult period, the spiritual
current within society would have become extremely weak. "We are truly
fortunate to have received the guidance and blessings of such a great spiritual
luminary," he said.
Speaking on the
essence of discipleship, Muni Praman Sagar said every spiritual aspirant should
embrace four principles in life: recognizing
the Guru, finding the Guru, becoming one with the Guru, and carrying forward
the Guru's path. A Guru, he said, is not merely an individual
but a supreme spiritual force who dispels ignorance, awakens self-realization,
and guides seekers toward liberation.
He emphasized that a
disciple can truly attain the Guru only by giving up ego and the sense of
"I". Genuine surrender begins when one realizes that nothing belongs
to oneself and everything belongs to the Guru. The Guru's grace is
ever-present, he said, but it can be received only by those whose hearts are
filled with devotion and surrender. Comparing the Guru's blessings to sunlight,
he said that just as sunlight enters only a house whose windows are open, the
Guru's grace reaches only those who open the doors of their hearts with faith.
Muni Praman Sagar
added that complete discipleship requires surrendering one's willpower,
decision-making ability, strength, and endurance at the Guru's feet. When the
Guru's will becomes the disciple's own will, spiritual progress becomes
effortless, he said.
National spokesperson Avinash Jain
'Vidyavani' said that the programme began with the
ceremonial Abhishek of
Lord Jinendra and a special Shantidhara, performed under
the guidance of Muni Praman Sagar Maharaj. This was followed by the Gandhar Valaya Vidhan,
conducted by Muni Sandhan Sagar Maharaj. The programme was compered by Ashok Bhaiya and Abhay Bhaiya.
The event was attended by Muni Saar Sagar Maharaj,
along with devotees from Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, West
Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, and several other states, who
gathered in large numbers to mark the sacred occasion.
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