Sushil Kumarji
Encyclopedia
Acharya Sushil Kumarji Maharaj ("Guruji" -- June 15, 1926 - April 22, 1994) was a Jain
Acharya
. Sushil Kumarji was the honorary president of the World Conference of Religions for Peace, founder of the World Fellowship of Religions (1950), and a founding member of the Vishva Hindu Parishad
(1964). Kumarji's primary ashram
is Siddhachalam
, located in Blairstown, New Jersey
, and was established in 1983. He was among the founding fathers of American Jainism
.
He was born in Sikhopur, India
and, at the age of seven, went to live with Shri Chotelalji Maharaj (who became his guru
). Kumarji claimed that the spirit
of Shri Roop Chandji Maharaj had inspired him to become a monk
-- he became a monk at the age of 15.
Although he was ordained in the Sthanakvasi
tradition, he regarded himself to be non-sectarian.
Jainism
Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state...
Acharya
Acharya
In Indian religions and society, an acharya is a guide or instructor in religious matters; founder, or leader of a sect; or a highly learned man or a title affixed to the names of learned men...
. Sushil Kumarji was the honorary president of the World Conference of Religions for Peace, founder of the World Fellowship of Religions (1950), and a founding member of the Vishva Hindu Parishad
Vishva Hindu Parishad
' , which is usually known more simply as the VHP, is an international Hindu organization, which was founded in India in 1964. Its slogan is "धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः Dharmo rakṣati rakṣitaḥ", which is supposed to mean "Dharma protects its protector"...
(1964). Kumarji's primary ashram
Ashram
Traditionally, an ashram is a spiritual hermitage. Additionally, today the term ashram often denotes a locus of Indian cultural activity such as yoga, music study or religious instruction, the moral equivalent of a studio or dojo....
is Siddhachalam
Siddhachalam
Siddhachalam is the first Jain Tirth located outside of India. Founded in 1983 by Acharya Sushil Kumarji, it is located on a 108 acre site in rural New Jersey, United States....
, located in Blairstown, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, and was established in 1983. He was among the founding fathers of American Jainism
Jainism in the United States
Adherents of Jainism first arrived in the United States in the 20th century. The most significant time of Jain immigration was in the early 1970s. The United States has since become a center of the Jain Diaspora.-History:...
.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and, at the age of seven, went to live with Shri Chotelalji Maharaj (who became his guru
Guru
A guru is one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom, and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others . Other forms of manifestation of this principle can include parents, school teachers, non-human objects and even one's own intellectual discipline, if the...
). Kumarji claimed that the spirit
Spirit
The English word spirit has many differing meanings and connotations, most of them relating to a non-corporeal substance contrasted with the material body.The spirit of a living thing usually refers to or explains its consciousness.The notions of a person's "spirit" and "soul" often also overlap,...
of Shri Roop Chandji Maharaj had inspired him to become a monk
Monk
A monk is a person who practices religious asceticism, living either alone or with any number of monks, while always maintaining some degree of physical separation from those not sharing the same purpose...
-- he became a monk at the age of 15.
Although he was ordained in the Sthanakvasi
Sthanakvasi
Sthānakavāsī is a sect of Jainism founded by a merchant named Lavaji about 1653 CE that believes that God is nirakar "without form", and hence do not pray to any statue...
tradition, he regarded himself to be non-sectarian.
Quote
- "If we live simply...not...collecting more and more...we will protect the environment...We [do] not need big industries..."