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,HISTORY OF JAIN TERAPANTH Jainism is the oldest living religion. It was originally founded by Bhagwan Rishaba in the pre-historical era. Rishabha was the first Jina hence he is often called  Adi-natha, the first lord.He is mentioned in most of the Hindu Puranas, Markandeya, Kurma, Vayu,Garuda, Brahmanda, Varaha, Linga, Vishnu, Skandha etc, He was the first Tirthankara (i.e. an omniscient founder), and was followed by 23 others. Bhagwan Mahavera who was the 24th and the last in the line gave shape to the present religion 2546 years ago. The birth of Lord Mahavera was in 599 B.C.in a royal family of Vaishali. Mahavera renounced the worldly life and became an austere ascetic, practicing the five great vows of Non-Violence, truth, non-stealing,continence, and non-acquisitiveness.

Philosophy of soul and Karma: Every living being is a soul , existing in the world from infinite time, passing through the cycles of birth and death. It is bound by Karma (a fine form of matter) through its own action of passion - attachment and aversion. Soul itself is the master of  its own fate, responsible for all its action - good or otherwise . Jainism does not accept creationism.

Non-Violence and Non-possessiveness: The practice of religion consist in the renunciation of two deadly sins of humanity - the aggressive urge and the possessive urge - through Non- violence and Non- possessiveness respectively. The basic principles leading to this two are -(1) all souls are equal to one’s own soul ; (2) limitless desires and possessions vitiate one’s attitude and behavior.

Non-absolutism (Anekantvada): It asserts that infinite twin qualities of opposite nature such as , permanence and change , identity and difference exist in each and every substance. Therefore Truth is multifaceted . All statements contain relative truth. To comprehend the complete truth , one has to take into consideration the different aspects of a thing /even from different points of view.

TERAPANTH-Terapanth is a religious sect under Swetembar Jain. The terapanthi sub-sect is derived from the Sthanakvasi; section. The Terapanthi sub-sect was founded by Swami Bhikkanaji Maharaj. Swami Bhikkanaji was formerly a Sthanakvasi saint and had initiation from his Guru, by name Acharya Raghunatha. Swami Bhikkanaji had differences with his Guru on several aspects of religious practices of Sthanakvasi ascetics  It was Founded by Acharya Bhikshu in Vikram Sambat 1817 i.e. June 28th of 1760 ( Saturday ) at KELWA (a small town in Udaipur District of Rajasthan State ).This sect is entirely based upon the Ideology  of Jain .

तेरापंथ के प्रवर्तक आचार्य भिक्षु श्रमण परंपरा के महान संवाहक थे। उनका जन्म वि. स. १७८३ आषाढ़ शुक्ला त्रयोदच्ची को कंटालिया (मारवाड़) में हुआ। उनके पिता का नाम शाह बल्लुजी तथा माता का नाम दींपा बाई था। उनकी जाति ओसवाल तथा वंच्च सकलेचा था। आचार्य भिक्षु का जन्म-नाम भीखण था। प्रारंभ से ही वे असाधारण प्रतिभा के धनी थे। As Acharya Bh1kkanaji laid stress on the 13 religious principles, namely, (i) five Mahavratas (great vows), (ii) five samitis(regulations) and (iii) three Guptis (controls or restraints), his sub-sect was known as the Tera (meaning thirteen)-pantha sub-sect. In this connection it is interesting to note that two other interpretations have been given for the use of the term Terapantha for the sub-sect. According to one account, it is mentioned that as there were only 13 monks and 13 laymen in the pantha when it was founded, it was called as Tera (meaning thirteen) -pantha. Sometimes another interpretation of the term Terapantha is given by its followers. Tera means yours and pantha means path; in other words, it means, "Oh! Lord  it is Your Panth                   HAI PRABHOO YEH TERA_PANTH

This practice of regulating the entire Pantha by one Acharya only has become a characteristic feature of the Terapantha and an example for emulation by other Panthas. It is noteworthy that all monks and nuns of the Terapantha scrupulously follow the orders of their Acharya, preach under his guidance and carry out all religious activities in accordance with his instructions. Further, the Terapantha regularly observes a remarkable festival known as Maryada Mahotasava. This distinctive festival is celebrated every year on the 7th day of the bright half of the month of Magha when all ascetics and lay disciples,

Sädhus (monks) and Sädhvis (nuns) are people who have voluntarily given up their household lives and worldly affairs and have accepted the five major vows to uplift their souls on the spiritual path. They strictly follow the rules laid down for them. Shrävaks and shrävikas, on the other hand, continue to lead worldly lives. They may observe in full or to a limited extent, twelve minor vows laid down for them.

Terapanth is  non-idolatrous and are very finely organized under the complete direction of one Acharya, that is, religious Supreme . In its history of little more than 200 years, the Terapantha had a succession of only 10 Acharyas from the founder Acharya Bhikkanaji as the First Acharya to the present  At present Acharya Mahapragya is the supreme head . He is the Tenth Acharya of Terapanth religious sect comprising more than 850 monks , nuns, samans and samanis( a new rank between the ascetic and the lay - followers ) following critical codes of disciplines, and millions of followers all over the world.

All Acharayas of Terapanth
(All Dates according to the respective Acharyaships)

 This responsibility were carried out by Acharya's preferred nuns. Sadhvi Barjujee were looking this job during Acharya Bikshu administration, Sadhvi Hiranjee were during Acharya Bharimaljee , Sadhvi Dipanjee during Acharya Raichandjee.

4th Acharya Shree Jeetmaljee has set-up a custom for Leadership for nuns called as "Sadhvi Parmukha". As nuns were increasing hence it was required to maintain deiscpline . The 1st Sadhvi Parmukha Sardarajee appointed by Acharya Shree Jeetmaljee in V. S. 1910. Then after  total seven Sadhvi Parmukha including present Parmukha Sadhvi Kanak Prbhajee. At the time terapanth foundation there was only 13 monks and no nuns. In V.S. 1821 three women approach to Acharya Bikshu for Diksha and qualified. Since there was no nuns before and as per rules minimum three   nuns required to stay . In case one nuns change her mind how to face such situation. Hence Acharya bikshu asked all three women in case such think take place then remain two need to go for fasting till death known as Santhara - Salekhana. All three women taken diksha  V.S. 1821 and these are namely Sadhivi Kusalanjee , Sadhivi Matatujee, Sadhivi Ajabujee. Credit go to Sadhiv's for 1st Women diksha after the 13 terapanth founder monks. Monks further added in V.S. 1822.

Sadhivi Kusalanjee was leader of remain two nuns as like Monk Thirpaljee was leader for 11 monks and all are under umbrella of Acharya Bikshu. From V.S. 1821 to Till Administration of Acharya Tulsee total 1597 women become true terapanth till third,TABLE AS UNDER                     

                             युगप्रधान आचार्य श्री तुलसी इस युग के क्रान्तिकारी आचार्यों में एक हैं। जैम धर्म को जन धर्म के रूप में व्यापकता प्रदान करने में उनकी महत्त्वपूर्ण भूमिका रही है। वे तेरापंथ धर्मयंग के नौवें आचार्य हैं।

आचार्य श्री तुलसी का जन्म वि.सं.१९७१ कार्तिक ‘षुक्ला द्वितीया को लाडनूं (राजस्थान) में हुआ। उनके पिता का नाम झूमरमलजी रवटेड एवं माता का नाम वदनांजी था। नौ भाई बहनोंमें उनका आठवां स्थान है। प्रारम्भ से ही वे एक होनहार व्यक्तित्व के धनी हैं।

    संयम जीवन का निर्मल साधना, विवेक-सोष्ठव, आगमों का तलस्पर्शी अध्ययन, बहुश्रुतता, सहनशीलता, गंभीरता, धीरता, अप्रमतता, अनुशासननिष्ठा आदि विविध विशेषताओं से प्रभावित होकर अष्टमाचार्य पूज्य कालूगणी ने   वि.स. १९९३ भाद्रपद शुक्ला तृतीया को गंगापुर में उन्हें अपने उतराधिकारी के रूप में मनोनीत किया।   Guru Dev Tulsi who is now no more was magnanimous in life and glorious in death. He lives for ever in the hearts and minds of millions of people for whose mental, emotional, and spiritual upliftment he worked all through his life. He was borned in 1914 at Ladnun (a small town in Nagaur District of Rajasthan). Right from his early childhood he exhibited brilliant qualities of head and heart giving indications of his greatness to be and his spiritual inclinations.  He renounced the material world and became a recluse at the tender age of 11years and showed promise to this difficult path with remarkable dedication . He thus rose in the saintly order to the highest seat in Terapanthi order of saints .The young saint Tulsi surpassed all estimates being made about him by the keen observers of the society . This young talent through his dynamism and sense of purpose , captured the attention of his Guru Shri Kalugani who nominated him to be his successor and he actually succeeded to his seat at the young age of 22 years . He thus had the credit to be the youngest of the eight Acharya’s who preceded him.

Acharya Shri Tulsi was a great visionary and conceived many innovative programmes and schemes to uplift the mental, moral and emotional status of his disciples and the entire population at large . He had the unique quality to translate his vision into actual practice . Rastrapita Mahatma Gandhi is the only other name which captures our imagination in this context . Acharya Tulsi showed great dynamism in conceiving and forth-rightly implementing the Anuvrat Movement for moral regeneration of the nation. The five principles of Anuvrat (brief resolves for leading an upright life) i.e. Satya, Ahimsa, Aparigraha, Achaurya and Brahmacharya became the five pillars of this movement for adoption in real life by individuals. This movement made a good headway through the teaching of his disciple saints , the foremost among them being Acharya Mahaprajna , the present head of the Terapanth sect This awakened the nation to a new moral code and cleansed the personal life of a large multitudes of the people giving them a sense of confidence and a direction for a purposeful upright living.

Gurudev Tulsi took up another gigantic task of editing the age old Jain ‘Agamas’-(shastras) which constitute the canonical literature of the Jain’s. In this trend he and his chosen disciples undertook research in depth on this ‘Shastras’ and discovered the ancient Jaina Technique of Meditation which he named as ‘Preksha dhyana’ This system of Jain Meditation was so well developed under his and Acharya Mahaprajna’s spiritual guidance that it completely revolutionised the Meditation techniques so far practised by the Jain Saints.

Besides controlling and administering a saintly order of nearly 800 monks,nuns, samans andsamanis. Acharya Tulsi was seriously absorbed in thinking about the future of the nation . His main concern in this regard was the education of our children and young men -the real citizen of tomorrow. After a deep probe into the contents and methodology of present day educational system Gurudev and Acharya Shri Mahaprajna discovered some serious loopholes which needed to be plugged to make it really effective and useful.