|
Acharya Chandana, also known as Tai Maharaj, is the first Jain Sadhvi (nun) to receive the title of Acharya. She belongs to the ''Amarmuni Sampradaya'' which, as of 2013, is the only monastic lineage to promote a nun to the rank of Acharya. This is controversial within the Jain community.〔 She is known for introducing the concept of ''seva'' (service to humanity) among the Jain . In 1972, she began her humanitarian work in a poverty-stricken area in the state of Bihar, India. She founded ''Veerayatan'' - a non-profit, non-governmental service organization which as of 2013 has centers in more than ten countries. A biopic ''Never Before'' has also been made to commemorate her life. == Early life == Chandana was born into a Kataria family in the Chaskaman village of Maharashtra on 26 January 1937. Her mother, Prem Kuwar, and father, Manikchand named her Shakuntala. She took formal education till class 3rd in Chaskaman. Her maternal grandfather convinced her to take initiation under the Jain Sadhvi Sumati Kuwar so that she could study and help others. At the age of fourteen she renounced the world, took Jain diksha and became Sadhvi Chandana. She took a twelve-year vow of silence to study Jain scriptures, the meaning and purpose of life and different religions. She obtained the degree of Darshanacharya from Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai, Sahitya Ratna from Parayg, a master's degree from the Pathardi Dharmik Pariksha Board and she gained the title of ''Shastri'' in the subjects of Navya-Nyaya and Vyakaran from Banaras Hindu University. Chandana met with opposition from other followers of Jainism when she advocated the extension of the philosophy of Mahavira from its traditional use in rituals and in finding moksha to application in everyday life. She contended that relieving suffering in others was a form of spirituality. In 1998, Chandana traveled to Cleveland, Ohio, where she offered the opening prayer at the National Federation of Asian Indians of North America convention and was honoured for her contributions to peace.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Acharya Chandana」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|