President Pranab Mukherjee, who received the first copy of "Tulsi Smriti Granth" on Acharya Tulsi at a function at the Rashtrapati Bhavan today, complimented all those who contributed or have been associated with this commemorative volume on the great saint.
President Mukherjee said every word inscribed in this book is an article of faith that followers should bear in their hearts for life.
"The lives of people in these modern times are both a matter of opportunity and challenge, of stability and turbulence. Acharyaji's teachings and words of wisdom hold great relevance for moral upliftment of individuals and transformation of nations alike. I earnestly hope that the messages contained in the Granth will travel far and wide and imbibed by the people," he said while speaking on the occasion.
President Mukherjee said India is an ancient civilization marked by rich culture, philosophy and spirituality.
"Sages, monks and spiritual leaders have made significant contributions over the ages towards India's spiritual beliefs. They have provided valuable direction benefitting the masses," he added.
Asserting that Lord Mahavira occupies an eminent position in our country's glorious tradition of self-enlightenment, President Mukherjee said: "Through his divine preaching of ahimsa (non-violence), anekant (non-absolution) and aparigraha (non-possession), he aimed at spiritual upliftment of the people. Deeply concerned with social issues of the time, Lord Mahavira professed solutions that helped alleviate problems of the masses."
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"Following Lord Mahavira's spiritual footprints, a chain of Jain Acharyas appeared from time to time through the centuries. They helped in nourishing Indian culture with fundamental and interminable values. Acharya Bhikshu was one of those eminent Acharyas. He stood against the misinterpretation of religious texts and doctrines. He provided true meaning to the age-old and fundamental strings of spirituality. The 'Terapanth' sect was born out of that pious resolve. The ninth successor of Acharya Bhikshu was Acharya Tulsi," he added.
President Mukherjee said Acharya Tulsi was born in 1914, at a time when India was starting to transcend from a traditional to a modern nation.
"At the tender age of eleven, he started delving into the problems of the world and seeking solutions, and transformed into a Jain monk," he added.
President Mukherjee further said, "Under the spiritual guidance of Acharya Kalughani, he undertook in-depth study of aagamas and other texts of philosophy and nyaya in a short span of eleven years. This made him a scholar of multiple subjects. Due to his extraordinary talent and vision, he became the successor Acharya at the age of 22. From then on, he started a journey of exploration of new vistas for human development."
"Acharyaji was a humanitarian, a peace activist, and a torch-bearer of moral awakening in our country. He rendered service for more than sixty years, during which he toiled hard for the transformation of the nation by transforming the individual. He set up a mission for 'Moral awakening of the country' and embarked on a long journey walking barefoot across the nation. He travelled more than one lakh kilometers reaching out to the elite of the society and the marginalized alike and to the rural and urban belt of the country. Wherever he went, whomever he met, he echoed the voice of purity in conduct," he added.
President Mukhrejee said Acharya Tulsi met writers, politicians, philosophers, poets and spiritual leaders under the banner of Anuvrat Movement, which he led from its beginning in 1936 until his demise in 1997.
"He shared his concern for national integration. He voiced his opinion against social evils like suppression of women, dowry system, torturing of widows, untouchability and veiling of women. He launched a special campaign for de-addiction. Due to Acharyaji's inspiration, thousands of people got registered and de-addicted successfully," he added.
Asserting that Acharya Tulsi was an eloquent public speaker, President Mukherjee said: "Through his thought provoking and inspirational discourses, he enlightened the people. His thoughts and philosophy are contained in more than hundred books written in different languages and in varied styles. His writing espouses virtues like rationality, practicality, solution-orientation, relevance and harmony. He was a keen proponent of world peace."
The President said Acharya Tulsi was conferred several honours like Indira Gandhi National Unity Award, Bharat Jyoti, Vak Pati Samman and Hakim Sur Khan Award as recognition of his significant endeavour in bringing individual transformation, social reformation, religious harmony and national integration.
"To dedicate his life completely in the service of humanity and spirituality, he renounced his acharya-ship willingly and appointed Acharya Mahapragya as his successor," he added.
President Mukherjee expressed his delight to learn that Acharya Mahashraman, who is the eleventh supreme head of the 'Terapanth', is undertaking an Ahimsa Yatra from Delhi in November, this year.
"I wish this expedition all success. May this journey on foot benefit the masses and people of our country," he said.
President Mukherjee received the book from Dr. Karan Singh who formally released it.