A Short History Of The Terapanthi Sect Of The Swetamber Jains And Its Tenets: 01.9 Acharya Tulsi

The ninth or present Acharyya Sree Sree 1008 Sree Sree TULASIRAMJI MAHARAJ was born at Ladnun on Kartik Sudi 1, Samvat, 1971. His father was Jhumarmalji Khater. His initiation took place at the hands of the eighth Acharyya on Pous Badi 5, Samvat 1981 along with his Sister Sree 108 Ladaji at Ladnun. His elder brother is Sree Champalalji Maharaj, who is senior to him in Diksha by one year. His Holiness was declared successor on first Bhadra Sudi 3rd, Samvat 1993 by the eighth Acharyya and was installed as the ninth Acharyya on first Bhadra Sudi 9th of the same year (corresponding to 26-8-36), at Gangapur. He was then only 22 years of age. He initiated his mother Sree 108 Sree BADNAJI as Sadhwi in Samvat 1994.

The Present Acharyya was for about 12 years under the able guidance of the eighth Acharyya and during this short period he acquired wonderful proficiency in Sanskrit and Prakrit. That he should be nominated as Acharyya at the young age of 22 and thought fit to shoulder the responsibilities of that high post, itself speaks very highly of his noble qualities. He is a worthy Successor of a worthy Acharyya and during the 9 years of his leadership he has initiated 108 Sadhus and 205 Sadhwis. The present number of Sadhus and Sadhwis under his order and discipline is about 636.

He is a great scholar and is vastly learned in Sanskrit and Prakrit. He is a great philosopher and a poet. His latest poetic composition is the life sketch of late Reverend Guru, the eighth Acharyya Sree Sree 1008 Sree Kaluramji Maharaj. It consists of 6 parts and comprises 109 Dhals and is composed in Marwari language. It is a composition of a very high quality, full of rich imagination and deep thought. While depicting the life in a most beautiful style and in rich melodious songs, the Acharyya has dealt on vari­ous subjects of the utmost importance. It is no exaggeration to say that the composition is a gem of Marwari language and a production of outstanding merit in the literary field.

Except the first Acharyya, Swami Bhikhanji, the rest of the Acharyyas were bachelors and initiated at below the age of Sixteen and the present Acharyya was initiated at the age of 10.