जनतंत्र और एकतंत्र का समन्वित प्रतीक है मर्यादा-पत्र-आचार्यश्री महाप्रज्ञ, इस परंपरा में मृदुता है, करुणा है और कदाचित् कठोरता भी युवाचार्यश्री महाश्रमण, नीड़ का निर्माण, पर पंखों पर प्रतिबंध नहीं- साध्वीप्रमुखाश्री कनकप्रभा
Summary
The 140th Marayada Mahotsav of the Terapanth Dharma Sangh was celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, from January 26 to 28, 2004. The main event took place on Magh Shukla Saptami, January 28, 2004. This annual festival is highly significant for the Terapanth order, and anticipation for it begins anew among the fourfold congregation as soon as the previous celebration concludes. Consequently, attendance at this 140-year-old traditional event has been steadily increasing, with participants finding novelty each year. The 140th Marayada Mahotsav in Jalgaon drew a massive gathering from across the country. The main ceremony commenced with chanting, followed by the installation of the original Marayada Patra (Code of Conduct document), handwritten by the founding guru, Acharya Shri Bhikshu, in Vikram Samvat 1859 (1802 CE). Acharya Shri Mahapragyaji read the Marayada Patra aloud. The assembled monks, nuns, and novices, standing in rows around the packed congregation, repeated the entire document in unison, reaffirming their eternal commitment to discipline and code of conduct. This practice is known as "Hajari" in Terapanth terminology. The sight of the Hajari inspired the audience towards discipline, while the white-clad rows seemed to provide a sense of complete security to the gathered people. Acharya Shri Mahapragyaji emphasized the document's significance, stating it is an eternal letter, with every letter indelible and imperishable. He described the Marayada Patra as a coordinated symbol of democracy and autocracy, and a protective umbrella for the order. A "Marayada Geet" composed by Acharya Shri Mahapragyaji was then sung, evolving into a collective chorus. In his address, Acharya Shri Mahapragyaji stressed the immense value of restraint and vows in life, without which religious practice is impossible. He noted that Acharya Bhiksh
Conclusion
The 140th Marayada Mahotsav in Jalgaon reaffirms the enduring power of the Terapanth tradition, demonstrating that a 200-year-old handwritten code of conduct remains a vibrant, unifying force. The event’s key outcome was the visible synthesis of democratic participation and disciplined leadership, as thousands of monks, nuns, and lay followers collectively recited the Marayada Patra, reinforcing their commitment to self-governance and order. Acharya Mahaprajna’s emphasis that neither leadership nor public voice should be suppressed highlights the tradition’s relevance for contemporary society, where the erosion of discipline and governance creates instability. The festival’s growing attendance and the emotional resonance of the “Hazari” ceremony suggest that this ancient framework offers a model for balancing authority with collective will, fostering both security and inspiration. Ultimately, the Mahotsav’s implications extend beyond religious observance, presenting a timeless lesson in how structured freedom and mutual accountability can sustain a community across generations.