WHAT OTHERS THINK AND SAY ABOUT THE MOVEMENT Dr. Rajendra Prasad First President of India A Mass Movement I have kept abreast of its activities ever since the days when only a few people were aware of it and today when I hear the people talking about its widespread impact I feel exhilarated. I am of the view that the Movement owes its success to the work being done by a band of 650 dedicated sadhus under the leadership of Acharya Shree Tulsi. The progress of any work depend on the single-minded devotion of the workers. Another important thing to be noted in this context is that people in India are influenced only by what saints preach to them.The thing that has pleased me most is that the Movement has transformed itself into a mass movement. I do not think that the people still subscribe to the view that it belongs to a particular sect. Its appeal to the masses augurs well for its future. Not only does this Movement incline us to do good to others but it also helps us to purify our own life and mould it in the right direction. The best life on can live is the life of self-restraint. I therefore, wish that the ideals of Anuvrat may be popularized among all sections of society. If I am asked to hold some post in this organization I shall be glad to accept the post of a supporter.
Chakravarti Rajgopalachary First Govenor-General of India The first step towards Moral and Cultural Rejuvenation of the people The Anuvrat Movement is a collective movement for the moral upliftment of our country. Such movements can be instrumental in furthering the role of religion. Its sponsor has launched it with a broad outlook so that the followers of all faiths may extend their helping hand to it. It comprises basic principles of life. In my opinion it is the first step in the direction of the moral and cultural elevation of the people. May this noble endeavor of Acharya Tulsi bear rich fruit. Dr. Radhakrishnan Former President of India It deserves Encouragement We live in an age of acedia, spiritual drought and torpor of the soul. Young men are more inclined towards materialistic doctrines and any movement which recalls to us the spiritual character of human nature is welcome. In our country, the Anuvrat Movement is fulfilling this function. Its work, therefore, deserves encouragement. Jawaharlal Nehru First Prime Minister of India. A Movement Strong Foundation If we wish to build the edifice of our nation, its foundation must be laid on sand, the whole structure will collapse the moment it gives way. The edifice erected on the foundation of character is always strong. We have the responsibility of implementing many important projects in our country. They are all embedded in character. The Anuvrat Movement is doing good work in this direction. I believe that the more this work progresses the better it is . So I wish the Anuvrat Movement all success. Lal Bahadur Shastri Former Prime Minister of India An Instrument for Introspection The real instrument for our progress is the ability to see within and analyse things introspectively. I am happy to note that teh Anuvrat Movement is fully awake to this fact. Moraji Bhai Desai Former Prime Minister of India Real Spirit of Anuvrat is Humanism I have been associated with the Anuvrat Movement for many years and I have great respect for it. It is not because I consider it my duty to cooperate with the work but because I consider it my duty to cooperate with the work he is doing for the country in the field of building character and creating a climate of orderliness and morality. There caan be only one true religion and that is humnism. Different sects and creeds must work in the same direction, but it is regrettable that todaay religious communities are indulging in mutual strife that will put those to shame who do bot believe in religion. It is a weakeness of human nature that there should be strife in the name of religion. It is for religion to wipe out this weakeness. The Anuvrat Movement does not seek to convert anyone to Terapanth, but tries to disseminate religion in its true form and spirit. It is making special efforts to bring about moral reconstruction in teh country. The vows of Anuvrat may be small of atomic, But we will have to observe them with respect due to the greatest vows. In fact no vow can be small or atomic. All that happens is that we make progress by degrees beggining with teh smallest and going to the highest. I have benefited from it and it has also helped me to discover my own shortcomings.
Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad Former Minister for Education and Scientific Research and Eminent National Leader Solace to Troubled Mind Any number of laws may be enacted but they will fail to bring about a basic reform in man. It is because l;aaws operate superficially and fail to win our hearts. The Anuvarat Movement has succeeded in touching our hearts. If a change of heart is brought about in all the people, the picture of our country will be wholly different. I am sure that the work of the Anuvrat Movement will make further progress. It gives solace to the anguished spirit. I have full sympathy for this movement and I am with all those who support it. Govind Ballabh Pant Former Minister for Home Affairs and National Leader A Movement for Building Charcter Anuvrat Movement is a movement for building character and the world needs it most today. So far these vows have been regarded as individual values but Acharya Shree Tulsi and his devoted followers are instrumental in getting them accepted as societal values. As the social value of these vows increases it will result in an all round development of man. I welcome this movement. Gurumukh Nihal Singh Former Govenor of Rajasthan Building a Strong Nation As a long as we do not uplift the moral standards of the people, our efforts to build a astrong nation will not be so successful. I therefore, send, my best wishes for this movement for the moral rewakening of humanity. Acharya Vinoba Bhave Sponsor of Bhoodan Movement and Great Leader of India Sarvodaya and Anuvrat Acharya Shree Tulsi has through a special technique of his own combined restraint with service and this has had and will continue to have a profound effect on many fields of life. Sarvodaya and anuvrat are not different but are two ways to reach the same destination. Anuvrat lays emphasis in the purity of thought and action and inspires the individual to observe restraint and eschew addictions. Sarvodaya is also possible only when the individual develops a character infused with purity of conduct and self-control. It is for this reason that I do not distinguish between anuvrat and sarvodaya. The workers of both should become partners in a common endeavour, for both are complementary. I wish this moral movement of anuvrat a hearty sucess. JAIPRAKASH NARAYAN Eminent sarvodaya leader of India. A Movement Acceptable to all I have no fascination for any particular religion. A religion that creates divisions bteween one man and another cannot survive in this age of science. Today everyone desires human solidarity. A religion which rejects the idea of conciliation and defies the scientific spirit will not be able to endure any longer on the earth. As far as I have understoof, Acharya ShreeTulsi and his Anuvrat Movement are dedicated to the noble cause of changing the whole world into one family so that all may live in love and peace. The Anuvrat Movement bears testimony to this inner ugre. In fact the movement is universally respected. Acharya Shree has given a revolutionary shape to the basic ingredients of the ancient truths by presenting them in a new way. He has undertaken this great task with a view to promoting moral awakening throughout the world. This movement is not meant for a particular region or country. It is not for India alone. It is also meant for the USA and USSR. The truth is that ti is meant for all enen though it is called anuvrat.
INDIRA GANDHI Former Prime Minister of India. Acharya Shree Tulsi, together with ihs monks and nuns, is playing an important role in creating a climate of morality. This work of his is in keeping with the lofty traditions of Indian culture. Today we are in need of a strong society based on the principles of unity, morality and secularism. For this it is necessary for our young men and women to be people of character so that they may be able to fight the moral evils and eradicate them. Anuvrat is an elixir which can help everyone acquire the highest purity. It is a spiritual instrument of attaining samadhi (The state of total peace and cessation of consciousness) It is pathway leading to the royal road. The work that has been done or is being done by the Anuvrat movement is not only laudable but also a source of joy.
RAJARSHI PURUSHOTTAM TANDON Former President of Indian National Congress The beauty of Truth I have received some reports about the work of the Anuvrat movement sponsored by Jain Achary aShree Tulsee. I most heartily welcome this movement. The members of this movement take vows to follow truth and self-reliance in their daily life. When truth is absorbed in the smallest activities the whole life becomes an embodiment of truth. Our hankering after materialism has fanned the fires of low instincts and untruth. Our country is also undergoing a phase of decadence. A small group of people who practise truth in their way of life may be likened to a candle. Let the light of this candle glow more and attract more people towards the beauty of truth. . ACHARYA J. B. KRIPLANI Noted Gandhian and Eminent National Leader. A programme for the purification of the individual
Anuvrat movement is a programme for the purification of the individual. This is a commendable piece of work. But the fact is that while good people walk one step, bad people walk fifty steps in the same time. How can this problem be solved? Therefore, efforts for collective moral uplift are necessay so that all can be awakened morally. The real way to do it is the one being followed by the Anuvrat Movement. People of all religions should act on the same lines. KAKASAHEB KALELKAR Noted Hindi and Litterateur and Thinker. A revolution in Moral Thought: The shramans and bhikkus are the soldiers of peace brigade. It is good that they are dedicated to inculcating moral values in people. In the Anuvrat Movement an equal stress is laid on moral revolution and the concept of nonviolence. This is distinctive of the character of the movement.
KISHORILAL MASHRUWALA Eminent Gandhian Scholar and Close Associate of Gandhiji Granted Steps to Moral Regeneration Anuvrat means a progressively graded observance of and compliance with all vows begining with the smallest. For example, if there is a man who finds himself unable to practise nonviolence and non-possession despite his faith in them, he can by following this technique vow to abstain from one particular kind of nonviolence or a specific type of possession. He can thus gradually move towards the fulfillment of his final aim. Such vows are called anuvrats. Acharya Shree Tulsi started an institution called Anuvrati Sangh (Anuvrat Movement) for the propagation of the above technique. It is open to all. Caste, relilgion, sex, colour are all immaterial for being admitted to it. It has specified certain divisions like nonviolence, truth, nonthieving, bramacharya ( a state of chastity and continence) and non-possession each one of which has its alloted anuvrats. As an antidote to this modern attitude of indifference to principles and rules and as an instrument of activating the power of discriminating between good and evil, it is a most laudable effort. JAINENDRA KUMAR Eminent Hindi novelist and Thinker. A movement for creating moral awareness among the people I am deeply interested in the Anuvrat Movement because it is capable of making the language of the spirit intelligible to the people. I have great faith in non-possession and that explains my fascination for anuvrat. The presence of such thoughts in our minds as direct us to tell others that they should not render assistance or give money to anyone, for if they do so, he might become their enemy, is the result of our having become totally unaware of absolute freedom or of what we call moksh (emancipation). Not without embracing poverty ourselves can we remove the poverty of others. Absolute freedom can exist only where there is nonviolence. It urges one to say ' I will not kill anyone but if you so wish you can kill me' Those who have attained to absolute freedom would rather part with office and offer it to others than have it themselves. In this sense the Anuvrat Movement is undoubted religious but at the same time is also an instrument of moral awakening.
DR. SAIFUDING KICHLUW Former Vice president, World Peace Council. A movement for peoples of all religions If we probe deep into the Anuvrat Movement we find that it is replete with the principles of building individual character. The rules prescribed by it are in conformity with the best and the basic in all religions and therefore do not bear the label of any one religion. In the context of the present sad state of the country caused by economic hardships and disparities, it is necessary for the countrymen to devote themselves to its programme based on the concept of non-possession. This movement of building character is also the movement of peace. It has been started with a view to instilling peace in everyone's mind. It is a matter of great pleasure that the Anuvrat Movement has addressed itself to all communities and religions eschewing secatarianism of all brands. V. K. KRISHNA MENON Former
Defence Minister of India and Eminent Diplomat The real work is to practise the vows and ideals in actual life. If the Indians follow these ideals in their life, it wil be a great national achievement. Not only this, if businessmen, students and others inspired by these ideals go to foreing countries, I believe that the foreigners will also be impressed by the Anuvrat Movement. SHRIMANNARAYAN Former Governor of Gujrat Anuvrat and Panchsheel I have been an admirer of the Anuvrat Movement since the time I first came to know of it. I was attracted toward it becasue it pays special attention ot small things in life. There are many people keen to do big things but there are very few who give importance to small things. The movement gives importance to gradual development and it is its speciality. One can reach the ideal not at one go but only step by step. In every meeting thousands take these moral vows and purify their lives. These vows are not thrust upon them. They take them on their own. I have seen the longing for pure life in these people. These days Panchsheel is a word of international importance. I feel that the Anuvrat Movement is a Panchsheel movement. The more it spreads the better it is for the welfare of our country. DR. PATTABHI SITARAMIYA Eminent Indian leader and historian. It deserves the Goodwill and Support of Everyone An organization that avows certain fundamental principles of purity and morality in life is bound to promote the well being of society and improve its ethics. The Anuvrat Movement has evolved 85 rules of Conduct divided under five heads, viz. ahimsa, satya, asteya, bramacharaya and aparigraha. These are the cardinal principles of the Jains and the principles which Mahatma Gandhi adored in his campaigns for political, social and ethical reforms. Such a movement is bound to command the goodwill and support of every well wisher of society.
S. R. DAS Former Chief Justice of India Reforms though a change of heart I have a great fascination for the Anuvrat Movement. It is more nourishing for life than even food. The work which is being done among the students as part of this movement is unique. The youngsters are the citizens of tomorrow. They will shoulder the responsibility of the nation. If they fall a prey to indiscipline and other vices, it is dangerous for the nation. Reforms are not brought about by laws. Laws can only bring pressure of fear on evil attitudes so that they may not grow worse. Only by a change of heart can we get rid of evils. Anuvrat Movement is constantly striving for this.
DR. SUNITI KUMAR CHATTERJEE Former President, West Bengal Legislative Council. Moral Flashlight Anuvrat Movement supports and encourages real Dharma (righteousness). Today unrighteousness is spreading very rapidly and religion is increasingly degenerating into narrowness. The last two wars have hit our morality so hard that we shall take years to regain it . But in this world, dominated by materialism, a flashlight is discernible beaming sacrifice, self-restraint and rectitude. It forbids us to indulge in temptation and shows the way to purify life. The flashlight is the Anuvrat Movement. This movement has given us a change, a direction and speed. The soul of the Anuvrat Movement is self-restraint. Its small vows bestow a humanitarian outlook on us. We have to place its high ideals before the country and the world by translating them into practice. There is no doubt that the people will follow them and that the ideas of Acharya Shree Tulsee will one day take concrete shape adn an dideal nonviolence society will evolve, consisting of people practising self -restraint. SRI PRAKASH Former Governor of Bombay Equilibrium between Good and Evil It is best to bear in mind the limitations of human nature. I believe that the vows of the Anuvrat Association have been framed bearing in mind the fact that every kind of risk and difficulty will have to be faced when we take such difficult vows the observance of which is beyond the reach of man. What we require in life are restraint, regulatedness and discipline and not total negation or extremely hard asceticism. It is most appropriate to follow the middle course and in the same way, keep an equilibrium between good and evil. I immensely like the way in which the Anuvrat Movement is working for the renaissance of the masses. The work of Acharya Tulsee is giving good results. LAXMI MENON Former Minister For External Affairs. Elevating the masses There have been numerous occasions in our history when the moral values in social life, weakened and people got detracted from the right path. At such times the great men of our country guided the people and made them realize the right values of life. I am glad to say that Acharya Shree Tulsee is doing the good work of elevating the masses of this country. The Anuvrat Movement is inspiring a new awakening among a dormant people. Our duty is to help rejuvenate the cultural and spiritual values in India seeking inspiration fromt the Anuvrat Movement. DR. SUSHILA NAYAR Close Associate of Mahatma Gandhi and Former Minister of Health and Family Welfare. Changing Standards of Life Everyone professes some sort of religion but hardly does anyone adhere to its principles. I prefer religious deeds to relilgious doctrines. Law cannot bring about sarvodaya or the upliftment of all. Only vows can do that. Law can help one in hiding wealth and starting State enterprises instead of private ones but it cannot promote love and friendship. By the Anuvrat movement we can easily do so. The Anuvrat movement changes the very complexion of life. It aims at the harmony and synthesis of the heart and the head, action and conception, words and deeds. BEGUM ALI ZAHIR Eminent Social worker of U. P Awakening Sleeping Thoughts Anuvrat Movement is a social platform. It is the quintessence of all religions of the world. The people of all races and creeds can join it. It is a movement to which there cannot be any opposition. After attaining freedom, our nonviolence went to sleep, as it were, and our thoughts became idle. This movement intends to awake our sleeping nonviolence and slumbering thoughts.
FATHER WILLIAMS Former Arch Priest of National Church of India Similar to Christ's Thoughts. Anuvrat movement has inspired in me unlimited innner strength and courage. I did not touch alcohol during my travels to the cold regions of European and other western countries. It was under the inspiration of the Anuvrat movement. I see a similarity between the thoughts of Christ and the ideas put forward by the Anuvrat Movement. C. SARKAR Former Director, United Press of India Something Good for the Nation I have read the rules of the Anuvrat Movement and I am well aquainted with its programme. One finds discussions about it frequently in newspapers. This movement is very useful for the country. I offer my full cooperation for this work. |
