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Sushil Kumar | |
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&sq=&lang=&file=File:Acharya_Sushil_Kumar.jpg) Picture of a marble plaque showing Acharya Sushil Kumar (from a private collection) | |
| Personal | |
| Born | 15 June 1926 |
| Died | 22 April 1994 (aged 67) |
| Religion | Jainism |
| Sect | Śvētāmbara; non-sectarian Sthānakavāsī; Arhat Sangh |
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Sushil Kumar (15 June 1926 – 22 April 1994) was a Jain teacher and monk (later Acharya).[1] He was a self-realized master who devoted more than 50 years to promoting non-violence, peace and knowledge of the self.
Guruji (as he is lovingly called by many of his devotees) was born on 15 June 1926, in Sikhopur, a small foothill village in Haryana, India. The village was later named Sushilgarh in Guruji’s honor. As a seven year old he left his home to live with Shri Chotelalji Maharaj, who later become his religious guru.[2]
When Guruji was still a young boy, Shri Roop Chandji Maharaj appeared to him in his spirit and told him to become a monk. (Maharaj was a great yogi and enlightened master in the family of monks to which Guruji belongs. He left his body 100 years ago. Shri Roop Chandji Maharaj is Guruji’s Spiritual guru). In this life, Guruji was not taught yogic systems from any master. His knowledge was realised through direct experience, and his powers were awakened through the grace of past lives. When he was 15 years old he became a Jain muni (monk) in Swetamber Sthanakwasi sect.[2]
During his academic career in India, he passed through a number of examinations such as Shastri, Acharya, Sahitya-Ratna, Vidya-Ratna, etc., and mastered the classical studies of Indian religious and yogic philosophies.[2]
His primary ashram in North America, Siddhachalam, located in Blairstown, New Jersey, was established in 1983. He was among the founding fathers of American Jainism.[3][4]
Although he was ordained as a monk in the Sthānakavāsī Jain tradition, he regarded himself to be non-sectarian. In 1979, he formed Arhat Sangh, a syncretic, non-sectarian group within Jainism.[5]
- ^ Harold G. Coward; Gordon S. Smith (2004). Religion and Peacebuilding. SUNY Press. p. 22. ISBN 978-0-7914-8585-9.
- ^ a b c Kumarji Maharaj; H H Acharya Sushil (1987). Song of the Soul. New Jersey, USA: International Mahavir Jain Mission. ISBN 0-943207-00-2.
- ^ Briggs, Kenneth A. (28 August 1975) "A Jainist Monk Brings Ascetic Ways Here", New York Times
- ^ Titze, Kurt (1998) Jainism: A Pictorial Guide to the Religion of Non-Violence, Motilal Banarsidass Publ. p. 241. ISBN 8120815343
- ^ Jones, Constance A., and Ryan, James D (2007) Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Facts on File Inc. p. 251. ISBN 9780816075645