The Sthanakwasi arose not directly from the Shwetambars but as reformers of an older reforming sect, viz., the Lonka sect of Jainism. This Lonka sect was founded in about 1474 A.D. by Lonkashah, a rich and well-read merchant of Ahmedabad. The main principle of this sect was not to practice idol-worship. Later on, some of the members of the Lonka sect disapproved of the ways of life of their current ascetics, declaring that they lived less strictly than Mahavira would have wished. A Lonka sect layman, Viraji of Surat, received initiation as a Yati, i.e., an ascetic, and won great admiration on account of the strictness of his life. Many people of the Lonka sect joined this reformer and they took the name of Sthanakwasi, thereby intending to strictly follow on the principles of Lord Mahavir. Sthanakvasi means those who do not have their religious activities in temples but carry on their religious duties in places known as Sthanakas which are like prayer-halls. The Sthanakwasis are also called by terms as (a) Dhundhiya (searchers); or (b)Sadhumargi (followers of Sadhus, i.e., ascetics).
Acharya Shree Shiv Muniji is a crusader for peace and non violence who has dedicated his life to the observance of penance, meditation, contemplation of the inner self and devoted worship to the Tirthankars, as a true Jain Saint. Acharya Shree Shiv Muniji, was born in a holy, prosperous family of Sh. Chiranjilal Jain of Malout Mandi District Faridkot ( Punjab); were staunch follower of Jain culture. It was here amidst the out burst of violent conflicts of dividation of country that the future Jain Saint witnessed the effect of figuting of communalism, deaths and destruction of humanity first hand. Deeply troubled by this unnecessary annihilation of lives of innocents mass homicide, the young boy opened his heart to embrace non violence as a solution of humanity problem and even more so a savior principle for this planet earth. He decided to devote his life as a Jain Saint to the promotion of peace through propagating the principles and teaching of Tirthankars.
Muni Shri Tarun Sagar Ji born on 26th June 1967 at Village Guhanchi Distt.Damoh, Madhya Pradesh. His real name was Shri Pawan Kumar Jain. His father was Shri Pratap Chandra Ji Jain and mother was Smt.Shanti Bai Jain. He took Kshullak Diksha on 18th January 1982. Finally he has taken Muni Diksha on 20th July 1988 Bagidora, Rajasthan. His guru was Acharya Shri Pushpdant Sagar ji Maharaj.
Jain Ascetism in the tender age of 13 years.First Jain Muni whose pravachan(Elucidations) telecasted in 122 countries including India.First Jain Muni who is available on Internet. Muni Shri Tarun Sagar Ji Maharaj is the first Jain muni who started a movement called Ahimsa Mahakumbh to stop export of meat and leather from India.First Jain muni who had pronounced that Bhagwan Mahavir is to be freed from Janis and temples, His thoughts and teachings should be for each individual. It clearly shows his revolutionary thoughts. First Jain muni written no. of books in Hindi and Sanskrit.
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Shrimad Rajchandra, born Raichandbhai Ravajibhai Mehta, was a prominent Jain poet, philosopher, and scholar. He is best known for his teachings on Jainism and as a spiritual guide of Mahatma Gandhi.Shrimad Rajchandra was born on November 9, 1867, in Vavania Bandar, morbi, Gujarat. His mother was Jain and his father was Vaishnava Hindu. He started speaking in public at age of 10 and writing articles at 11. He performed Shatavdhan (a difficult memory test of memorizing 100 different thing at a time) at Faramji Kasavji Institute, Mumbai when he was 16. At the age of 20, he married to Zalakbai and then engaged in the pearls and diamond business. At the age of 32, he contracted an illness from which he never recovered. He died in Rajkot, Gujarat on April 9, 1901, at the age of 34. During his life, he served as a spiritual guide and mentor for many people. He summarized his interpretation of Jainism in Atma Siddhi Shastra, a Gujarati short verse poem written when he was 16 years old.
In those days several eminent saints and monks existed in every religion so It was impossible to find out the real supreme spiritual leader of that era. To solve this problem one religious person Nag Deo underwent fasting for three days at Girnar Hill in the temple of Ambika Devi. As a result Devi Ambika appeared in person and wrote few lines in golden words on the right palm of Nag Dev and disappeared, saying who so ever could read those golden words, was to be considered as the only "Yug Pradhaan" of that Age. Nag Dev moved from place to place displaying his palm to several religious gurus but none could read the golden words. Finally he reached Patan in Gujarat where Dada Jindutta Suriji was staying with his group of disciples. Nag Dev showed him his palm with the golden words which Dada Guru could read . To avoid self praise Dada guru put Vasakshape on the golden words which became readable by his disciple whose happiness knew no bounds, when he found that his Guru Shri Jindutta Suri ji was declared as Yug Pradhan by Ambika Devi - a super human power of Girnar Temple.
Acharya Tulsi (October 20, 1914 – June 23, 1997) was a prominent Jain religious leader. He was the founder of the Anuvrata movement and the Jain Vishva Bharti Institute, Ladnun and the author of over one hundred books. Acharya Mahapragya and Sadhvi Kanakprabha were his disciples.In 1949 he launched the Anuvrat Movement, based on the five Jain principles Truth, Nonviolence, Non-possession, Non-stealing and Celibacy as applied in their limited version for the lay people. The movement encouraged people to apply the Anuvratas in their personal lives, even when dealing with non-religious aspects of the society. The movement also held that Dharma is not for ensuring happiness in the future lives but also for achieving happiness in the present life.The movement has continued under the leadership of his disciple Yuvacharya Mahapragya. He was raised to the rank of the Acharya by Acharya Tulsi himself.