Summary
Buddhisagarsuri (1874 – 1925) was a Jain ascetic, philosopher and author from British India. Born in a Hindu family, he was influenced by a Jain monk and later was initiated in asceticism, and later elevated to the title of Acharya. He wrote more than hundred books.
Buddhisagarsuri | |
|---|---|
 Buddhisagar Suri | |
| Personal | |
| Born | Bechardas Patel 1874 |
| Died | 1925 (aged 50–51) |
| Religion | Jainism |
| Sect | Svetambara |
| Signature |  |
Biography edit
Buddhisagarsuri was born Bechardas Patel in a Hindu family of Shivabhai and Ambaben in 1874 at Vijapur in north Gujarat. He studied till sixth standard. He met Muni Ravisagar, a Jain monk, and became his disciple. He studied at the Yashovijayji Jain Sanskrit Pathshala, a school for religious studies, in Mehsana. He took a job of religious teacher in Ajol. Following death of Ravisagar in 1898, his spiritual quest intensified. Ravisagar's disciple, Sukhsagar initiated him as a Jain monk in 1901. He was given a new name, Muni Buddhisagar. He was conferred with an informal title of Yoga-nishtha, literally "firm in Yoga". He was elevated to the title of Acharya in 1914 in Mansa.[1][2][3] He established the Mahudi Jain temple in 1917.[4] He was invited by the royals of Baroda, Idar and Pethapur to preach there. He died at Vijapur in 1925.[1][2][3] The Jain temple and a memorial shrine were built where Buddhisagarsuri was later cremated in Vijapur.
Works edit
He wrote more than hundred books.[3][1] He has written about 2000 poems. He has written a large number of poems about Sabarmati river.[3] His first book was Jain Dharma Khristi Dharmano Mukablo, a comparison between Jainism and Christianity. He criticised Christianity and its missionary activities in Gujarat.[1]
He was involved in several debates regarding icon worship during those time. He defended it and authored a booklet Jain Sutroma Murtipuja (Icon Worship in Jain Scriptures). He termed icons as a form of love and devotion.[1]
Selected works edit
- Samadhi Shatak, a hundred stanza on meditation
- Yog Deepak, the guide on yoga
- Dhyan Vichar, a book on meditation
- Adhyatma Shanti, a work on spiritual peace
- Karmayog, a theory of karma
- Adhyatma Geeta
- Atma Shakti Prakash
- Atma Darshan
- Shuddhopayog
- Samya Shatak
- Shishyopanishad
- Atmana Shasan
- Anandghan Pad Bhavarth Sangrah, a collection of hymns of Anandghan, a Jain mystic poet, and its meaning
- Shrimad Devchandraji, a biography of Devchandra
- Kumarapala Charitra, a biography of Chaulukya ruler Kumarapala
- Yashovijay Charitra, a biography of Yashovijay
- Adhyatma Bhajan Sangrah 1–14, a collection of songs
References edit
- ^ a b c d e John Cort (16 November 2009). Framing the Jina: Narratives of Icons and Idols in Jain History. Oxford University Press. pp. 250–251. ISBN 978-0-19-973957-8.
- ^ a b "Acharya Shri Buddhi Sagarji►Biography". herenow4u.com. 31 January 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
- ^ a b c d "पीएम मोदी ने जिन जैन मुनि का ज़िक्र किया वो कौन हैं". BBC News Hindi (in Hindi). 16 August 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
- ^ Dave, Pranav (2 November 2013). "Kali Chaudas havan revered by all faiths". The Times of India. Ahmedabad. Retrieved 2 November 2013.
