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| Acharya Pushpadant (1957 - ) |
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 Acharya Pushpadant is a widely known Digambar Jain Acharya. Digambar is one of the main two sects of Jainism, followers of this sect lead an ascetic life they do not wear clothes because they believe clothes, like other possessions, increase dependency and desire for material things, and the desire for anything ultimately leads to sorrow. In keeping with tradition Pushpadant does not use motorized vehicles but spends his time walking bare foot through Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, C.G., Rajasthan, Delhi, Bengal and Maharashtra. Pushpadant has also been instrumental in the building of a new Jain shrine in central India 5 km from the Indore Bhopal highway near the Songiri village. This complex is made up of 250 acres including houses, a school, a hospital, a museum, a shopping center and above all a 108 ft tall idol of Bhagwan Paraswanath in Yogic (Padmasan) posture. Pushpadant is also the author of between 250 – 300 books. |
Date of Birth: 01 Jan, 1957
Location: India
State: Madhya Pradesh
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Views: 210
Summary
Acharya Pushpadant was born on January 1st, in Gondiya, Maharashtra in western India. His parents were named Shri Komalchand Jain and Shrimati Mathuradevi Jain and he was given the name Sushil. When he was young his family moved to Chhatarpur looking to find work and economic stability. Unfortunately, the family continued to face hardships and Sushil youth was cut short as he had to work to help support the family as a result his primary education was limited. In 1978, Pushpadant had an opportunity to feed Acharya Vidyasagar. This was to mark a turning point in Pushpadant’s life it was at this point he made up his mind to become a monk and dedicate his life to spiritual knowledge. With the blessing of his mother he was initiated as a junior monk taking diksha from Acharya Vidyasagar. Within in seven months Pushpadant achieved the rank of Kshullak Diksha which is one rank lower than a Muni an ordinary monk. In Jainism there are three ranks, Acharya the level of leader of the order, Upadhyaya or learned monk, who is both a teacher and a student and a Muni which is an ordinary monk. Pushpadant’s dedication and determination was such than within seven months of Brahmacharya and living a monastic life in his quest for self realization he achieved the rank of Kshullak. In 1980 at Nainagiri he became a Muni an ordinary monk when he received the name Pushpadant. His inner yearning to know the divine was to propel him quickly along the road to greater and greater knowledge. In 1985, he was awarded the rank of Acharya becoming a leader of the order. His ceremony took place at Gommat Giri Indore his ceremony was presided over by Acharya Vidyasagar.
References:
Related Links:
www.munipulaksagar.com/inspiration.html
www.jainteerth.com/teerth/girnaarji.asp
www.pragyasagar.com/munisangh.htm
www.pushpgiri.org/founder.htm
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