Acharya Vidyasagar

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Acharya Vidyasagar (Kannada:ಆಚಾರ್ಯ ವಿದ್ಯಾಸಾಗರ್, Sanskrit:आचार्य विद्यासागर) is one of the best known modern Jain Acharya. He is known for his scholarship and tapasya.

Biography

He was born as Vidyadhar on 10 October 1946 on sharad Purnima in Sadalga, District Belgaum, Karnataka. His father was Shri Mallappa, who later became Muni Mallisagar. His mother Shrimati later became Aryika Samayamati.

He was initiated as a monk at the age of twenty-two by Acharya Gyansagar, who belonged to the lineage of Acharya Shantisagar, at Ajmer in 1968. He was elevated to the Acharya status in 1972.

Acharya Vidyasagara is an expert in Sanskrit, Prakrit and several modern languages such as Hindi, Marathi and Kannada). He has been a prolific author in Hindi and Sanskrit. Several researchers have studied his works for masters and doctoral degrees. His works include Niranjana Shataka, Bhavana Shataka, Parishah Jaya Shataka, Suniti Shataka and Shramana Shataka. He authored the hindi epic poem Mukamati. This has been also included in the syllabus of MA Hindi in various institutions.^{[citation needed]} He has translated verses of texts such as Yogasara, Ishtopadesha, Samayasar (Kundakunda ka Kundan), Gomatesh thudi, Samana Suttam etc.

Acharya Vidyasagar has been a source of inspiration to the people for starting institutions for the welfare of living beings at different places.

Acharya Vidyasagar has been a source of inspiration for religious functions. He has initiated more than 125 monks, a number unmatched in the past nine centuries. Several Panch kalyanak and Gajrath Mahotsava have been organized at different places of the country in his presence like Drongiri, Chattarpur (M.P), Bina Baraha Sagar (M.P), Morena (M.P), Madanganj Kishangarh Ajmer Raj, khajurahro, kundalgri, koniji, Jabalpur Padmanabhpur - Durg (CG) etc.

Acharya Vidyasagar has been a source of inspiration for the construction, development and renovation of Jain temples and images all over India. He has always inspired to invite scholars of eminence to have discourses on different subjects. He has also taken classes to teach his disciples different Granthas. More than a hundred books articles have been written on him by eminent scholars and dedicated devotees. Also a number of cassettes, CDs, etc. has been released on him.

His tradition

He belongs to the tradition established by Acharya Shantisagar. Acharya Shantisagar initiated Acharya Virsagar. He was then succeeded by [[[Acharya Shivsagar]], Acharya Gyansagar and finally Acharya Vidyasagara. Two of his brothers, Muni Yogasagarji and Muni Samaysagarji also followed him and were initiated as muni (monks) by Acharya Vidyasagar.

Some of his disciples are well known scholars of their own right. As of 2001, about 21% of all the digambar monks were under Acharya Vidyasagara.

His wanderings

He and his sangha walk on foot, never staying in a single place for more than a few days, except for the four months of chaturmas during the rainy season. He has spent his early chaturmas retreats in Rajasthan. In 1976, he wandered into Madhya Pradesh, where he now wanders most often. He prefers to stay away from large cities, and thus often stays in remote Jain tirthas. As of 2012, after Panchakalyanak and Gajrath Mahotsav from 19 to 29 January 2012 at Padmanabhpur, Durg, he left for Dhamtari on 30 January 2012.

Because his sangh is too large to be supported by a single locality during chaturmas its sections, led by senior monks, stay in about 50-60 locations around India, from North to South India, from West to Eastern India, but mostly around central India.^{[citation needed]} On rare occasions they gather in a single place.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• List of religious leaders in 2007
• List of Jains

References

• Shah, Natubhai (1998). Jainism: The World of Conquerors. Volume I and II. Sussex: Sussex Academy Press. ISBN 1-898723-30-3. 
• Kshamasagar, Muni (2007). In Quest of Self : The life story of Acharya Shri Vidyasagar. Delhi: Bhartiya Jnanpith. ISBN 81-263-116-5 . 
• Flügel, Peter (2006), Studies in Jaina History and Culture: Disputes and Dialogues, Taylor & Francis, ISBN 978-0-203-00853-9