This original document was written 225 years ago by Acharya Bhikshu founder of the Terapanth order, laying down a code of conduct for the monks and nuns of the order.
The Terapanth order is known as a well-knit and harmonious organization among the Jains. It owes its success to the code of conduct for the monks and nuns of this Dharm Sangh as enunciated in the Maryada Patra written by Acharya Bhikshu himself. The main features of this historical document are that Terapanth Dharm Sangh will have one Acharya and that all its monks and nuns will have invariably to submit to the discipline enjoined on them by him. They will move about under his authority and the place where they have chaturmas will be decided by him alone. The mandatory powers bestowed upon the Acharya by this document sound autocratic but they are not so, for these monks and nuns enjoy full freedom of discussion within the order. The spirit behind the Maryada Patra is to enable a sadhak to annihilate his or her ego that obstructs spiritual progress. The phenomenal success Acharya Tulsi has achieved is the result of his adherence to this constitution.
