Mahamahim Acharya Bhikshu Swamiji | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal | |
| Born | 1 July 1726 Kantaliya, Rajasthan |
| Died | 30 August 1803 |
| Religion | Jainism |
| Sect | Śvetāmbara |
| Organization | |
| Founder of | Śvetāmbara Terapanth |
| Religious career | |
| Successor | Acharya Bharimalji |
| Part of a series on |
| Jainism |
|---|
 |
Acharya Bhikshu (1726–1803) was the founder and first spiritual head of the Śvetāmbara Terapanth sect of Jainism.[1][2]
He was a Devotee of Mahavira. In the initial phase of his spiritual revolution, he moved out from the group of Sthanakvasi Acharya Raghunath. That time he had 13 saints, 13 followers and 13 the basic rules. This coincidence results in the name of "Terapanth" (Thirteen Path) and he referred it as "Hey Prabhu Yeh Terapanth".[3][4]
The various beliefs and teachings of the religious orders of those times greatly influenced his thinking. He studied and analysed the various disciplines of the Jain religion and on this basis he compiled his own ideologies and principles of the Jain way of life. Based on the doctrines propagated, Acharya Bhikshu rigorously followed the principles. It was this way of life that was demonstrated by Acharya Bhikshu which became the foundation principle of Terapanth. The Letter of Conduct was written by him is still followed in the same manner with due respect with slight changes as per the time & situation. The original copy of letter written in Rajasthani language is still available. His followers piously referred to this monk as 'Swamiji' or 'Bhikshu Swami'.[citation needed]
Acharya Bhikshu visualised a systematic, well established and orderly religious sect and saw it taking shape through Terapanth. To organise and stabilise this religious order he propagated the ideology of one guru and brought to an end the concept of self discipleship.[citation needed] In this way his ideology of one Acharya, one principle, one thought and similar thinking became the ideal for other religious sects. Acharya Bhikshu said the common man should understand and practise true religion which would take him to the path of salvation.[citation needed]
- ^ Dundas, Paul (2002). The Jains. Routledge. p. 254. ISBN 0-415-26606-8.
- ^ Singh, Narendra (2001). "Acahrya Bhikshu and Terapanth". Encyclopaedia of Jainism. Anmol Publications. p. 5184. ISBN 81-261-0691-3.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Shashi, S. S. (1996). Encyclopaedia Indica: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh. Origin and development of Indus civilization (Volume 1). Anmol Publications. p. 945. ISBN 81-7041-859-3.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Vallely, Anne (2002). Guardians of the transcendent: an ethnography of a Jain ascetic community. University of Toronto Press. p. 59. ISBN 0-8020-8415-X.