Nemisuri

Śāsana Samrāt Ācārya Nemisuri Mahārāja Sāheb was a 20th century CE Śvetāmbara Jain ascetic, philosopher, researcher, reformer, and the head of the Tapa Gaccha. He is best known for his efforts in preserving the Jain literature and protection of major pilgrimage sites such as Palitana temples, Girnar Jain temples, and Taranga Jain temples.

Early life and education He was born on the Jain New Year's day which falls on the first day of the bright half of the Kartika month, in the year 1872 CE in Mahuva, Gujarat. He was named Nemchand by his parents Diwaliben and Laxmichandbhai.

He received his early education in vernacular and English medium schools before pursuing business endeavors in the stock market. However, his interest soon shifted towards Sanskrit and religious studies, leading him to study under Jain ascetic Vruddhichandraji in Bhavnagar.

Initiation He was constantly surrounded by his preceptor and other ascetics. He devoutly studied Sanskrit, Prakrit and Jain scriptures. This began infusing a feeling of detachment from worldly life in him. This feeling increased with every passing day and when his father wrote to him about the passing of his grandmother, he responded by writing back that the worldly life was meaningless and that only diligence in religious studies proves to be meaningful.

His father felt that if Nemchand stayed in Bhavnagar anymore, he would turn towards monkhood, so he called him back. He sternly denied permission for renunciation. Nemchand and his friend Durlabhji, who was also desirous of monkhood, ran away to Bhavnagar to meet their preceptor.

Since Durlabhji's father had already died, he did not face troubles and was initiated into the Chaturvidha Sangha. However, Vruddhichandraji denied initiation to Nemchand without his parents' permission. Nemchand wore a monk's dress and came to his preceptor. Looking at his courage, he initiated him into the Chaturvidha Sangha on the 7th day of the bright half of the Jyeshtha month in the year 1888 CE. Upon initiation, his name was changed to Muni Nemvijaya. The rajoharan that was given to him was used by Ganivarya Muktivijaya (a monk in lineage of Acharya Jagatchandrasuri) earlier, a revered ascetic of the Tapa Gaccha.

Consecration as Ācārya There was no competent Ācārya in Tapa Gaccha after Ācārya Vijayanandsuri had died in 1896 CE. Panyās Gambhirvijaya and ascetic Manivijaya thought Nemvijaya to be fit for this position. In 1907 CE, this proposal was presented before the sangha at the sixth 'Akhil Bharatiya Jain Shwetambar Murtipujaka Conference.' It was accepted and Nemvijaya was then inducted into a ritual of 'Navpada Oli''' of Surimantra-pancha-prasthana, a ritual necessary for the installation of an Ācārya. In 1907 CE, Nemvijaya was consecrated as an Ācārya and was renamed as Nemisuri.

As an Ācārya, he aimed to revive the tradition of virtuous, disciplined, and knowledgeable disciples. Consequently, he groomed several disciples through strict disciplinary practices. Prabhashankar Patni had considered Nemisuri as his preceptor and is often said to have advised his son to visit Nemisuri to seek guidance when troubled. He also preached several kings, princes, and eminent scholars such as Madan Mohan Malaviya. During his time, only 25-30 ascetics were following the correct conduct as per the Śvetāmbara canon. An exponential increase in the number of such ascetics as seen today is attributed to Nemisuri, Vijayanandsuri, Rajendrasuri, Kamalsuri, and Gautamsagarsuri of Achal Gaccha.

Preservation of Jain literature Nemisuri is said to have pioneered the publishing of Jain literature for ascetics and for the laypeople. He is also said to have inspired the establishment of several hundred pathshalas for lay-followers of Jainism in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Such classes were meant for lay-followers of all ages and gender who wished to learn the scriptural tenets of Jainism.

In addition to the establishment of religious classes, Nemisuri inspired the establishment of several libraries to hold and preserve ancient manuscripts of canonical and non-canonical scriptures of Śvetāmbaras across Gujarat and Rajasthan. This led to a large-scale publication as well as preservation of Jain literature. He preached and inspired kings and royalties of princely states of Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Bhavnagar, and Vallabhi to protect animals as well as sites of pilgrimage and heritage. Some of them are as follows: -

Saptabhangiprabha Nyayasindhu Laghu Hemprabha Vyakarana

Death and legacy

In 1948 CE, he was at Mahuva for his chaturmasya. His disciples Nandansuri and Udayasuri were looking after a weak and bed-ridden Nemisuri. At 7:00pm on the day of Diwali in 1948 CE, he died near the spot of his birth. Two temples were erected, one at the spot of his birth and another at the site of his cremation. A shrine dedicated to him and with his footsteps was also erected at the spot of his death. He also authored a comprehensive biography of Nemisuri named "Śāsana Samrāt" in Gujarati. He also described a ritual for worshipping the idols of Nemisuri through "Ashtaprakari Gurupuja". Another biography of Nemisuri was written by Jain monk Niranjanvijaya. Nemisuri served as an inspiration for several Jain ascetics later as well. Ramanlal Shah, a lay follower of Nemisuri also wrote a short biography of him. Another biography of Nemisuri was written by Acharya Kulchandrasuri.

Books at "Nemisuri Gyaanshala" are displayed at the annual celebration of Jñāna Panchami in Khambhat. A website dedicated to his work, and media related to him was also created in 2023 - "Mandan Parivar"'', an initiative by Ganivarya Trailokyamandanvijaya, a monk of Nemisuri's community, is a trust that performs works of charity and spreading the word of Jainism.