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Jainism
Jainism is one the oldest religion founded by the first Tirthankara of present age Bhagwan Rishabanatha.
He is mentioned, not only in all Jaina scriptures like Kalpa -Sutra, Adi-purana etc, but also in ancient scriptures of India like the Rgdeva etc.
Jainism was flourished by 24 Thirthankara beginning with Rishba and ending with Mahavira. Bhagwan Mahavira was the 24th and
the last Tirthankara who attained nirvana in 527 B.C. Bhagwan Mahavira was a contemporary of Budha gave shape to the present Jain
dharma 2546 years ago. After the nirvan of Bhagwan Mahavira the followers of Jain dharam
in second Centuary A.D. divided in two sects - Digambaras and Shvetambaras . Later on, the two sects divided into many sub-sects.
Terapanth (तेरापंथ)
Terapanth is a religious sect under Shvetambaras
Jain. The terapanthi sub-sect was founded by Acharya Bhikshu, also known as Swami Bhikanji Maharaj. Swami Bhikkanaji was
formerly a Sthanakvasi saint and had initiation from his Guru, 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 ( Saturday, June 28th of 1760 ) at KELWA, a small town in Udaipur District of Rajasthan
.This sect is entirely based upon the principles of Janism and today the sect has millions of followers in many parts of the world.
Terapanth ( तेरापंथ) 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. The interpretation of the term Terapantha is given by its followers.
यह प्रभू का ही पंथ है, हम तो इस पथ के पथिक है |
"Oh! Lord Mahavira! it is Your path (Panth)".
Hey Prabhu Yeh Tera Panth
Constitution of Terapantha (Maryadas)
The features of the Constitution of Terapantha are:
1. All the monks and nuns should remain as the disciples of only one (Current) Acharya.
2. Chaturmas, sojourns on foot etc, will be undertaken according to the directives of the Acharya.
3. The present Acharya will nominate his successor, who has to be accepted by all the members of the order as their next Acharya.
4. Only the Acharya, and none else, has the right to initiate any monk or nun as his/her diciple.
5. All things such as cloths, utensils, books and manuscripts will belong to the Acharya, and will not as an individual belonging.
Acharya Bhikshu enacted the constitution. The signed constitution called Maryadas ;are safe till today. |
ऊ अर्हम
Acharya Bhikshu
आचार्य भिक्षु
Acharya Shri Tulsi
आचार्य तुलसी
(1936-1996) |
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Principles
Acharya Bhikshu founder of Terapanth laid stress on the 13 religious principles:
(i) five Mahavratas (great vows), - Non-Violence, truth, non-stealing, continence, and non-acquisitiveness.
(ii) five samitis (regulations) and
(iii) three Guptis (controls or restraints)
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.
Maryada Mahotasava
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. He had written
letter of Conduct in Rajasthani language which is still being followed
after 250 years with some modification as per time entacting the main base.
Organisation
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 11 Acharyas from the founder Acharya Bhikanaji as the First Acharya to the present.
This practice of regulating the entire Pantha by one Acharya only has become a characteristic feature of the Terapantha .
At present Acharya Mahashraman is the supreme head. He is the Eleventh
Acharya of Terapanth religious sect comprising more than 850 monks, nuns, samans and samanis
following critical codes of disciplines, and millions of followers all over the world.
List of Acharyas chronologically
1 Acharya Bhikshu (1760-1803)
2 Acharya Vharimal (1803-1821)
3 Acharya Raichand (1821-1851)
4 Acharya Jeetmal (1851-1881)
5 Acharya Maghraj (1881-1892)
6 Acharya Manaklal (1892-1897)
7 Acharya Dalchand (1897-1909)
8 Acharya Kalugani (1909-1936)
9 Acharya Tulsi (1936-1996)
10 Acharya Mahaprajna (1996-2010)
11.Acharya Shri Mahashraman (2010 -current Head)
Nuns in Terapanth
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.
Chronological list of Head Nuns:
1.Sadhvi Parmukha Sardrajee V.S. 1910-1927
2 Sadhvi Parmukha Gulabajee V.S.1927-1942
3. Sadhvi Parmukha Navlajee V.S. 1942 - 1954
4 Sadhvi Parmukha Jethanjee V.S. 1954 - 1981
5 Sadhvi Parmukha Kankuvarjee V.S. 1981 - 1993
6 Sadhvi Parmukha Jamkujee V.S. 1993 - 2003
7 Sadhvi Parmukha Landajee V.S. 2003 - 2027
8 Sadhvi Parmukha Kanakprbhajee V.S. 2028- till date |
Acharya Shri Tulsi
आचार्य तुलसी
(1936-1996)
Acharya Mahapragya
( आचार्य महाप्रज्ञ)
(14 June 1920- 09 May 2010)
Acharya
Mahashraman
आचार्य महाश्रमण
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Terapanth Historical Place
Name
State
Importance
Kantalia
Rajasthan Birth Place of Acharya Bikshu. ( Founder of Terapanth )
Sudhri ( Bagdi ) Rajasthan
The Place where Acharya Bikshu contravene and stay.
Kelwa
Rajasthan Acharya Bikshu Accepted Diksha
Rajnagar
Rajasthan Bodhi place of Acharya Bikshu
Jodhpur
Rajasthan Place where "terapanth" name decided
Siryari
Rajasthan Place where Acharya Bikshu passed away ( Devlok )
Jaipur
Rajasthan Shrine of Shree Majacharya
Ladanu
Rajasthan
Birth Place of Acharya Tulsee. Place of Jain Visva Bharti. University of
Jainism Jain Education Center. Place for old monks and nuns.
Delhi
Delhi
Anuvart Vihar. 210, Dindayal Upadhaya Marg. New Delhi.
Meditation Centre at Chatarpur. Mehrolli.
Ranawas
Rajasthan Jain Education Center.
Rajasmand Madhya Pardesh
Tulsee worship place. Place of Anuvart Visva Bharti.
1st Acharys Bhikshu, ( आचार्य भिक्षु)
Date of Birth : V.S.1783, Asaad Sukla Troyodeshi, Tuesday
Place of Birth: Kantaliya
Father's Name: Ballushah
Mother's Name: Deepaji
Marital Status: Married
Gotra: Sanklecha
Caste: Beesa Oswal
Date Of Diksha: D. Di. V. S. 1808. Bhav Di. V. S. 1810, Asaad Shukla Purnima
Diksha By: D. Di. A. Raghunathji. Bhav. Di.
Place of Diksha: Bhagdi Kevla
Teacher (Guru): Self
Appointment as Acharya and Place: V. S. 1817 Asaad Shukla Purnima
Number of Sadhu & Sadhvi at the time of appointment as Acharya: Sadhu: 8 Sadhvi: 0
New Diksha of Sadhu & Sadhvis during Acharya period : Sadhu: 46 Sadhvi: 56
Date of passing away (Devlok): V. S. 1860 Bhadrav Shukla. Trayodashi 7 prahar.
Number of Maryada Mohotsav: Nil
Tenure as Acharya: 43 years and 2 months
Maximum Chaturmas: Siriyari 7, Pali 7
No of Sadhu & Sadhvi at the time of passing away .: Sadhu: 21 Sadhvi: 27
Sadhvi Pramukha during Acharya period, Sadhvi Barjuji
Acharya Shree Bikshuji was the first of the 'Terapanthi' ascetic.
His views on Dharma in brief are:
1. Laukika Dharma - concerning moundane field
2. Lokottara Dharma - concerning spiritual upliftment, leading to Moksha. |
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Acharya Tulsi ( आचार्य तुलसी)
Acharya Tulsi (1936-1996) was the 9th
Acharya of Terapanth. See more detail Acharya
Shri Tulsi
Acharya Shri Mahapragya
( आचार्य महाप्रज्ञ)
Acharya Mahaprajna (1996-2010) was the 10th Acharya of Terapanth. See
more detail Acharya Mahapragya
Acharya Shri Mahashraman ( आचार्य महाश्रमण )
The present Acharya of Terapanth. Acharya
Mahashraman
Prvachan from January
5 to January 22, 2010 in Ratangarh (रतनगढ़)
Acharya Shri Mahashraman ( आचार्य महाश्रमण ) at Rajaldesar (राजलदोसर)
Sadhvi Pramukha Kanakprabha
Sadhvi Kanakprabha was born in Kolkata on 22 July 1941. She attended Parmarthik Shikshan Sanstha, Ladnun, at
the age of 15. Her decision to lead the life of an ascetic was realised
at the age of 19 after finishing her studies in Ladnun. She was initiated by the 9th head of Terapanth sect- Acharya Tulsi on 8 July 1960.
In Jain Shwetamber Terapanth sect, She had been declared the 9th Sadhvipramukha (head of nuns) on 14 January 1972 & Mahashramani (head of
samanis) on 17.01.1979 at Gangasahar. She is a likewise qualified editor
and author in Sanskrit, Prakrit and Hindi language. Sadhvi Kanakprabha was being declared as head of Nuns & Samanis on 14
January 1978 in Gangasahar. More than 50 books written by Acharya Tulsi were edited by her.
A collection of poems called "sargam" was also released by her. She has
authored an epic on travelling "Yatra Granth" which is recognised as one of the great books of Hindi literature. |
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