Pt. Phoolchandraji Shastri
(1901 - 1991)
Siddhantacharya Pt. Phoolchandraji Shastri, of Bundelkhand was a modest and unassuming man, and a great scholar. He was a giant in the field of Jain scriptures. This soft-spoken teacher at Syadvad Vidyalay Varanasi acomplished many great things in his life.
Birthdate 11 April 1901 at Silavan (M. P.), Death 31 August 1991 at Rudki (Uttaranchal)
Pandit ji was a great Jain scholar. He was a very nice man. He was very simple and straightforward. Typical of scholars of that era, he was very self-effacing.
He was also a freedom fighter and was active in India's struggle for independence from Britain's imperialist clutches. He was jailed in 1941. He took part in the Swadeshi movement as well, and wore Khadi all his life. After the nation gained independence from British rule, he quit politics forever and spent the rest of his life studying , teaching and propagating Jainism.
Along with Pt. Kailshachandraji Shastri and Pt. Jaganmohanlalji Shastri, he formed a triumvirate of Jain scholars, commonly described as the "Ratnatrayi" of Jain scholars.
He was also a social reformer, and staunchly advocated social reforms in Jain temples. He was a supporter of the entry of "Dassas" in the temples of the "Bisas." He opposed the needless expense in incurred in the pomp and show of "Gajrath", processions of elephant-drawn chariots. He tied to inculcate Swadhyay in the community. He proposed the running of "Gyanrath", in order to propagate the teachings of the Jain scriptures.
26 January 1950 was a very important day for independent India. The Indian constitution came into force that day. Along with it, came a ruling that allowed the entry of Harijans in all the temples of India. He actively supported their entry in Jain temples. He demonstrated that Jain scriptures did not forbid anyone from entering Jain temples on the basis of caste.
In those days, it was not unusual for scholars to be "sponsored" by the rich members of society. Since there were no opportunities for scholars to support themselves, most scholars used to avail of this means. Very few scholars like Poojya Dadaji Pt. Nathuramji Premi, who established his own publishing house, or Dr. Hiralalji Jain and Dr. A.N. Upadhyeji who were employed by the Government as Professors, were able to lead lives without such "sponsorships." But Panditji was a self-respecting man, and did not depend on any rich man to earn a living. He remained economically independent all his life, and led a life of poverty and simplicity. Panditji did a grand job in ensuring that the Digamber Agams were revived. He dedicated his whole life for the cause.
Despite facing many vicissitudes in life, Panditji never compromised on his self-respect, and he was instrumental in helping many young deserving men further their studies. He taught at the Syadvad Vidyalay, Varanasi all his life.
He wrote the following books.
1. "Jain Dharm Aur Varn Vyavastha" (pub. at Delhi in 1945)
2. "Vishwashanti Aur Aparigrahvad" (pub. at Varanasi in 1949)
3. "Jain Tattva Mimansa" (pub. at Varanasi in 1978)
4. "Varn, Jati Aur Dharm" (pub. at Delhi in 1989)
5. "Jain Tattva Samiksha Ka Samadhan" (pub. at Jaipur in 1987)
6. "Akinchitkar" (pub. at Varanasi in 1990)
7. "Jaipur (Khania) Tattvacharcha" (pub. at Jaipur in 1967)
8. "Parvar Jain Samaj Ka Itihas" (pub. at Jabalpur in 1992)
He edited and translated the following classical Jain texts from Prakrit / Sanskrit in to Hindi.
1. "Prameyaratnamala" (pub. at Varanasi in 1928)
2. "Alap paddhati" (pub. at Solapur in 1934)
3. "Shatkhandagam Dhavala" (pub. at Vidisha & Solapur in 1934-39 and 1973-90)
4. "Shatkhandagam Mahadhavala" (published at Delhi in 1944)
5. "Kashaypahud Jaydhavala" (published at Mathura in 1941)
6. "Saptatika Prakaran" (published at Agra in 1948)
7. "Tattvarthsutra" (published at Varanasi in 1958)
8. "Sarvarthsiddhi" (published at New Delhi in 1960)
9. "Panchadhyayi" (published at Varanasi in 1960)
10. "Atmanishasan" (published at Varanasi in 1983)
11. "Samaysar Kalash" (published at Songadh in 1964)
12. "Samyakgyan Dipika" (published at Bhavnagar in 1970)
13. "Labdhisar - Kshapansar" (published at Agas in 1980)
14. "Gyansamucchaysar" (published at Sagar in 1974)
Awards and Honours : Panditji was given the honorific "Siddhantacharya" at Jain Siddhant Bhavan, Ara (Bihar) in 1962 by the then Governor of Bihar Dr. Anantashayanam.
Panditji was given the honorific"Siddhantaratna" by the then Vice-President of India Dr. B. D. Jatti in 1974 on the occasion of the 2500th Nirvan Celebrations of Bhagwan Mahavir.
Panditji was given the honorific "Prakrit Gyan Bharti" at the first National Prakrit Conference held in Bangalore in 1990.
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Information Courtesy : Mr. Pravin K. Shah
Chairperson Jaina Education Committee
Federation of Jain Associations in North America
509, Carriage Woods Circle Raleigh, NC 27607-3969, USA
E-Mail : pkshah1@attglobal.net
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Mail to : Ahimsa Foundation
www.jainsamaj.org
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