Jain Society of Greater Detroit
Choumasi Choudas Pratikraman
Jai Jinendra!
On Sunday March 24th, 2024, JSGD will have Choumasi Choudas Pratikraman at Jain Temple from 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
We request all members to come on time.
Param Pujya Acharya Shri 108 Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj Pujan
Dear fellow society members,
Saadar Jai Jinendra.
Hindi Puja Group would be doing Acharya Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj Pujan on Sunday March 24 @10 am.
Here is the schedule:
- 8:30 am - Abhishek
- 10:00 am - 11:15 am
- Nandishwar Dweep Pujan
- Acharya Vidyasagar Ji Pujan
- 11:15 am - Vinayanjali Video
- 11:30 am - Aarti and Mangal Divo
We request everyone to join and take laabh.
Jai Jinendra!!
In Memoriam: Sant Shiromani Acharya Shri 108 Vidyasagar Ji Maha Muniraj
Dear fellow society members,
Saadar Jai Jinendra.
As you all know our greatest Acharya of this era Param Pujya Shri 108 Vidayasagar ji maha muniraj attained samadhi maran with sallekhana last month Feb 18, 2024 at 2:35 am. It has been seen as a utkrisht samadhi of this era. The most revered Gurudev, a national welfare thinker who gave life to all of us, had wisely adopted the sallekhana. In a state of complete awakening, renounced the post of acharya, fasted for 3 days, renounced diet and Sangha, stopped giving renunications and penances and maintained unbroken silence.
About Life, Deeksha and Works:
Acharya Shri Vidyasagarji Maharaj (10 October 1946 – 18 February 2024) was the greatest Jain Acharya of this era. He was worshipped by not only millions of Jains but also from other religions. He was recognized both for his scholarship and tapasya (austerity). He was known for his long hours in meditation. He is credited with having brought about a revival in educational and religious activities. Everyone was always willing to get even his one glimpse. Whoever did his darshan became his follower. Acharya Shree Vidyasagarji Maharaj of Digambar Muni tradition is the only Acharya of the country who has given 505 Muni, Aryika, Ailak, Kshulak initiations so far.
Early life
Vidyasagar Ji was born on 10 October 1946 during the full moon festival (Sharad Purnima) in Sadalga, in the Belgaum district, of Karnataka in a Kannada-speaking Jain family. His childhood name was Vidyadhar and nick names were 'Peelu' 'Tota'. He was the second of four sons, the eldest son being Mahavira Ashtage Ji and the younger ones Anantanath Ji and Shantinath Ji. Vidyadhar used to visit temples and teach his younger siblings the principles of religion. He was very brilliant, attentive and was eager to undertake the studies.
Deeksha (Initiation)
Vidyadhar was initiated as a Digambara monk (Muni Shri Vidyasagar Ji) in 1968 at the age of 22 by Acharya Gyansagarji Maharaj, who belonged to the lineage of Acharya Shantisagarji Maharaj, at Ajmer. His father MallappaJi, his mother ShrimatiJi, and two sisters took diksha and joined the sangha (community of the pious) of Acharya DharmasagarJi. All of his brothers, Anantanath Ji and Shantinath Ji, Mahavir Ashtage ji followed him and were initiated (got Deeksha) by Acharya Vidya Sagar Ji Maharaj as Muni Yog Sagar Ji Maharaj and Samay Sagar Ji Maharaj, Muni Utkrasht Sagar Ji Maharaj respectively.
Muni shri Vidyasagar ji was elevated to the Acharya status in 1972. The Acharya Shri was the epitome of Charitra. Acharya Shri Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj made very strict rules for his ascetic life. He did not even eat salt, sugar, fruits, vegetables, milk, oil, ghee, in addition to what is traditionally prohibited in Jain Muni's life. He used to eat a limited quantity of plain dal and roti. As a traditional Digambara Jain monk, Acharya Shri never stayed in a single location for more than a few days, except for the four months of the rainy season (Chaturmas). He never declared where he would be next, although people tried to guess his next destination, which is called "Aniyat Vihari".
Samadhi (Death)
The Acharya Shri gave up acharya hood and gave the Acharya title to first Niryapak Muni Samay Sagar Ji Maharaj on 6 February 2024 before he took sallekhana. He did nirjala upvas for last three days and then attained samadhi-maran on 18 February 2024, at the age of 77 at Chandragiri Teerth in Chhattisgarh's Dongargarh.
Reactions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a great follower of Acharya Shri and expressed grief on the demise of Acharya Ji.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the countless devotees of Acharya Shri 108 Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj Ji. He will be remembered by the coming generations for his invaluable contributions to society, especially his efforts towards spiritual awakening among people, his work towards poverty alleviation, healthcare, education and more.."
The Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh Governments declared a half-day state mourning upon Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj's death. The Uttar Pradesh Governor and Chief Minister condoled his death.
Work
Acharya Vidyasagar Ji was a scholar of Sanskrit and Prakrit and knew several languages including Hindi, Kannada, Marathi and English. He wrote in languages such as Prakrit, Sanskrit, and Hindi. His works include Niranjana Shataka, Bhavana Shataka, Parishah Jaya Shataka, Suniti Shataka and Shramana Shataka. He composed nearly 700 haiku poems.
Acharya shri was a great poet and magician of words. He wrote the famous Hindi epic (MahaKavya) "Mukmati". This has been included in the syllabus of Hindi MA programmes at various institutions. This has been translated into more than 18 languages. Around 56 Phd has been done internationally on this MahaKavya.
On his vision schools named Pratibhasthali Gyanodaya Vidhyapeeth for girls have been opened, where they can be taught important life lessons along with studies. Around hundreds Gaushalayen are being run to save Gauvansh from salughter house. He was main advisor in New Education System formed by Indian Govt.
Acharya Shri will be remembered for ages for his penance, knowledge, charitra and works towards mankind and animal welware.
Source of above content is:
"Jainam Jaytu Shashnam, Vande Vidyasagaram"
FRE 2024 - EK SHAAM JSGD KE NAAM
Jai Jinendra JSGD Members,
We are very thankful to all our JSGD members for their support for the Fund Raising Event, “Ek Shaam JSGD Naam’. Registrations and pledges are continuing to come in. We look forward to your support in making this event a success.
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Please note that early registration helps FRE team plan the event better. Please register at your earliest @ https://www.jsgd.org/fundraising/tickets
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If you have not registered yet and paid before the early registration date deadline, please do so at your earliest.
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If you have only emailed or texted us your RSVP but not paid, please complete your payment via Zelle, Venmo or check. Check must made payable to ‘Jain Society of Geater Detroit’ with a memo “FRE 2024”.
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If you have specified people you are sitting with, then we will plan accordingly. If you do not have a seating preference, we will take care of your seating arrangement.
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Go green E-Brochure initiative – You can request an E-Brochure instead of a printed brochure copy during the Registration process by picking the appropriate option on the Registration Form.
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Online registration is important for guest count as well as seat assignment. All the guests are required to register online at www.jsgd.org/frd/faundraising/tickets
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While registering online please use Zelle or Venmo to pay online and enter the payment ID in the space provided. If you are paying by check, please send your check to JSGD Finance, 2927 W12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48334.
Please register at your earliest. Sponsorship packages qualify for additional raffle entries.
Registration and contact details are as following:
Website: www.jsgd.org/frd
Phone: Kamal Jain: 248-719-2148
Anil Jain: 248-470-1562
E-mail:
Sponsorship Packages:
Advertising Packages:
We are expecting over 400 people for the event. If you are a business owner, this is a wonderful opportunity to showcase your business to a broad audience. Here are the advertising packages:
Thank you,
2024 Fundraising Team
JSGD WhatsApp Group Information
Pranam Members,
We have a JSGD WhatsApp group formed and request everyone to join the group. This platform will allow everyone to stay connected, share updates, events and newsletters. We request everyone to please join & share the following link with your friends and family to get added to the JSGD WhatsApp group->
https://chat.whatsapp.com/DsUcxun99pc6jx5CJ67TAN
OR Scan the below QR code to join
Jai Jinendra,
EC & BOT