Acharya Bhikshu
Encyclopedia
Acharya Bhikshu was one of the great revolutionary saints and reformer of Jainism
. He was the founder and first spiritual head of the Svetambar Terapanth sect of Jainism
.
He was a staunch disciple of Mahavira
and completely immersed his life onto the path given by him. 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).
The various beliefs and teachings of the religious orders of those times greatly influenced his thinking and he choose to follow the way of the search for truth and to understand it. He studied and analyzed the various disciplines of the Jain religion thoroughly 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 and thus set an example for all to follow. He showed the importance of discipline, purity and self-control. 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 this great visionary monk as 'Swamiji'.
Though gold is invaluable by itself it yet needs to be tested and molded by fire to win the admiration and appreciation of the masses. Similarly the life of Acharya Bhikshu was a prodigy of ups and downs that tested and molded him to become a supreme individual. While in the first half of the life, he faced ordeals and difficulties, the second half reveals (unfolds) the success and accomplishments.
Acharya Bhikshu had a very broad vision who was far ahead of his times. He rose above the present conditions of the society and strived to present an example to the people of all times of a life of discipline and truth. In pursuit of this objective, he sacrificed material goals, honor and luxuries.He revolutionized the various principles which had become meaningless with the passing of time and gave conception and birth to these tenements. He visualized a systematic, well established and orderly religious sect and saw it taking shape through Terapanth. To organize and stabilize this religious order he propagated the ideology of one guru and brought to an end the concept of self discipleship. In this way his ideology of one Acharya, one principle, one thought and similar thinking became the ideal for other religious sects.Acharya Bhikshu showed the way from desire to desirelessness. He said the common man should understand and practise true religion which would take him to the path of salvation.
A philosopher, writer, poet and social reformer, the Jain leader wrote 38,000 "shlokas", now compiled in two volumes as "Bhikshu Granth Ratnakar". His "Nav Padarth Sadbhav", which advocated a society free from exploitation, is regarded as a significant philosophical composition that deals exhaustively with the nine gems of Jain philosophy.
Swamiji was an ideal of tolerance, non-violence, generosity and equality and at every instance of his life he strived to stand against what was immoral and wrong in society fearlessly. The life of Bikhshu sets out an example for human to follow of a life of the positive human traits. We hope that this presentation of the life of swamiji will be an inspiration to all to lead a life of simplicity and self discipline.
Acharya Mahapragya always followed the steps of Acharya Bhiksu & Acharya Tulsi
to give a new vision of humanity through meditation, lectures, Ahimsa Yatra. He was a well known scholar, philosopher, writer, thinker of his era.
Jainism
Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state...
. He was the founder and first spiritual head of the Svetambar Terapanth sect of Jainism
Jainism
Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state...
.
He was a staunch disciple of Mahavira
Mahavira
Mahāvīra is the name most commonly used to refer to the Indian sage Vardhamāna who established what are today considered to be the central tenets of Jainism. According to Jain tradition, he was the 24th and the last Tirthankara. In Tamil, he is referred to as Arukaṉ or Arukadevan...
and completely immersed his life onto the path given by him. In the initial phase of his spiritual revolution, he moved out from the group of Sthanakvasi
Sthanakvasi
Sthānakavāsī is a sect of Jainism founded by a merchant named Lavaji about 1653 CE that believes that God is nirakar "without form", and hence do not pray to any statue...
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).
The various beliefs and teachings of the religious orders of those times greatly influenced his thinking and he choose to follow the way of the search for truth and to understand it. He studied and analyzed the various disciplines of the Jain religion thoroughly 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 and thus set an example for all to follow. He showed the importance of discipline, purity and self-control. 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 this great visionary monk as 'Swamiji'.
Acharya Bhikshu had a very broad vision who was far ahead of his times. He rose above the present conditions of the society and strived to present an example to the people of all times of a life of discipline and truth. In pursuit of this objective, he sacrificed material goals, honor and luxuries.He revolutionized the various principles which had become meaningless with the passing of time and gave conception and birth to these tenements. He visualized a systematic, well established and orderly religious sect and saw it taking shape through Terapanth. To organize and stabilize this religious order he propagated the ideology of one guru and brought to an end the concept of self discipleship. In this way his ideology of one Acharya, one principle, one thought and similar thinking became the ideal for other religious sects.Acharya Bhikshu showed the way from desire to desirelessness. He said the common man should understand and practise true religion which would take him to the path of salvation.
Contribution
In the middle of the 18th Century, Acharya Bhikshu led a reformist movement in a society griped in fundamentalist religious beliefs and blind faith.A philosopher, writer, poet and social reformer, the Jain leader wrote 38,000 "shlokas", now compiled in two volumes as "Bhikshu Granth Ratnakar". His "Nav Padarth Sadbhav", which advocated a society free from exploitation, is regarded as a significant philosophical composition that deals exhaustively with the nine gems of Jain philosophy.
Swamiji was an ideal of tolerance, non-violence, generosity and equality and at every instance of his life he strived to stand against what was immoral and wrong in society fearlessly. The life of Bikhshu sets out an example for human to follow of a life of the positive human traits. We hope that this presentation of the life of swamiji will be an inspiration to all to lead a life of simplicity and self discipline.
Postage stamp
On 30 June 2004, The Vice-President, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat had released a special commemorative postage stamp in memory of Jain saint Acharya Shri Bhikshu on the occasion of the "nirvana" bicentenary of the great social reformist. The stamp issued by the Department of Posts is in Rs.5 denomination.Two special functions were organized to release this Rs.5/- stamp. The first function was organised at the residence of Vice President of India, Shri Bhairo Singh Shekhavat at New Delhi. Second release function was organized at Siriyari (Distt. Pali, Rajasthan) where Acharya Bhikshu had attained Nirvana.Successors
Chronological list of Acharyas
- Acharya Bhikshu
- Acharya Bharimal
- Acharya Raichand
- Acharya Jeetmal
- Acharya Maghraj
- Acharya Manak Lal
- Acharya Dalchand
- Acharya Kalu Ram
- Acharya Tulsi
- Acharya Mahapragya
- Acharya Mahashraman(current head)
Acharya Mahapragya always followed the steps of Acharya Bhiksu & Acharya Tulsi
Acharya Tulsi
Acharya Tulsi was a Jainist Acharya . He was the founder of the Anuvrata and the Jain Vishva Bharti Institute, Ladnun and the author of over one-hundred books. Dr. Radhakrishnan in his "Living with Purpose" included him in the world's 15 great persons. He was given the title "Yuga-Pradhan" in a...
to give a new vision of humanity through meditation, lectures, Ahimsa Yatra. He was a well known scholar, philosopher, writer, thinker of his era.
Main Events
| Date of Birth | V.S.1783, Asaad Sukla Troyodeshi, Tuesday |
| Place of Birth | Kantaliya |
| Father's Name | Ballushah |
| Mother's Name | Deepaji |
| Date of Diksha | D. Di. V. S. 1808. Bhav Di. V. S. 1810, Asaad Shukla Purnima (as per Hindu Calendar) |
| Diksha By | Sthanakwasi Acharya. Raghunathji. |
| Place of Diksha | Bagadi Kelva |
| New Diksha of Sadhu & Sadhvis during Acharya period. | Sadhu: 46 Sadhvi: 56 |
| Date of passing away (Devlok) | V. S. 1860 Bhadrav Shukla. Trayodashi 7 prahar(as per Hindu Calendar) |
| Tenure as Acharya | 43 years and 2 months |
| No of Sadhu & Sadhvi at the time of passing away. | Sadhu: 21 Sadhvi: 27 |