Acharya Bhikshu

Infobox Person
name=Acharya Bhikshu


caption=
dead=dead
birth_date= 01 July 1726
birth_place= Kantaliya, Rajasthan, India
death_date= August 1803
death_place= Siryari Rajasthan

Acharya Bhikshu was one of the great revolutionary saints of Jainisim. He was the founder and first spiritual head of Jain Shvetambar Terapanth sect.

He was a staunch disciple of Bhagwan Mahavir and completely immersed his life onto the path given by Lord Mahavir.

In the initial phase of his spiritual revolution, he moved out from the group of Sthankvasi Acharya Raghunath ji. That time he had 13 saints,13 followers and 13 the basic rules. This coincidence results in the name of "Terapanth"

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.

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

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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 (current head)

The ninth acharaya of Terapanth sect started by Acharya Bhiksu is Acharya Tulsi. He had taken the Terapanth to the new heights. He was one of the great jain acharya & reformist who opened the door of worldwide publicity of Jainism.

The current head Acharya Mahapragya is on the steps of Acharya Bhiksu & Acharya Tulsi to give a new vision of humanity through meditation, lectures, Ahimsa Yatra. He is the well known scholar, philosopher, writer, thinker of his era. The current vice head is Yuvacharya Shri Mahashraman.

Links and references

*Acharya Mahapragya
*Acharya Tulsi
*Terapanth
*Jain Vishva Bharti Institute, Ladnun