Ek Shradhanjali

Acharya Mahapragya(1920 – 2010)

by Dr. Nirmal Baid

Life History

Awards

Mother Teresa National Award of Peace by Interfaith Harmony Foundation of India in 2005

Communal Harmony Award i.e. Sampradayika Sadbhavana Puraskar by Govt. of India in 2004

Ambassador of Peace (London) by Inter Religions and International Federation in 2003

Lokmaharshi by New Mumbai Municipal Corporation in 2003

Indira Gandhi National Integration Award in 2002

Yug Pradhan as a mark of the highest honor of this era for his countless services to humanity in 1999

D.Litt by Netherland Inter Cultural Open University in 1999

A Great Poet and Writer

Started writing at age of 22. Written 200+ books in Hindi, Sanskrit, Prakrit and Rajasthani.

His epic 'Sambodhi' represents his poetic capacities in rhythmic conversation between Lord Mahavir and the Prince Monk Megha Kumar.

Led determination of the original text of the thirty-two Agam scriptures and completed their Hindi translation and commentary.

“…it is not economic growth or

military strength alone that

make a society strong.

Sustainable success comes from

values, and these can sustain a

society and a nation, even in

times of hardship…”

Preksha Dhyan

In his late twenties, Mahapragya started to realize the wonders of meditation.

After a deep practice for 20 years, formulated the Preksha Meditation system in 1970.

Preksha Dhyan is a non-sectarian system of meditation which has spiritual as well as physical well being as its benefit.

Surat Spiritual Declaration

Adopted at Unity of Minds for Enlightened Citizens conference headed by Acharya Sri and Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.

It adopted Garland projects focused on celebration of inter religious festivals, healthcare and employment, imbibing value based education in schools and encouraging interfaith dialogue among spiritual heads.

Ahimsa Yatra(2001-2009)

Highlight spiritual aspect of non-violence and spread the message of peace and harmony across the country.

“…Only that country becomes strong whose citizens know the way to control their emotions. No country can emerge powerful without peaceful coexistence, and it is impossible for a country to ensure peaceful co-existence of its people without restraint and discipline…”

Jain Vishwa Bharti University

Acharya Mahapragya was the mastermind behind the conception of Jain Vishva Bharti University, Ladnun, Rajasthan.

Acharya Mahapragya was the Anushashta, the spiritual head of this deemed University since 1995.

Acharya Sri moved forward the university's objective to revive truths and values hidden in the ancient Indian traditions in general and in the Jain tradition in particular.

Stand on Religion

”...rituals or idol worship alone are not enough unless one’s conduct also gets transformed…

“…religion is not confined only to temples, mosques, or churches, but extends to the man’s day-to-day living...”

"I believe in that religion which has moral values at its foundation and spirituality at its peak…”

- Acharya Mahapragya

Born on May 03, 1962 at Sardarshahr

Initiated on May 5, 1974 in Sardarshahr

Became Mahashraman at the age of 28

Yuvacharya on Sep 14, 1997 at the age of 35

11th Terapanth Acharya on May 09, 2010

Acharya Mahashraman