Bhikshu (Jain monk)

Acharya Bhikshu
Religion Jainism
Sect Svetambara
Personal
Born (1726-07-01)1 July 1726
Kantaliya, Rajasthan
Died August 1803
Siryari Rajasthan
1st Page of Letter of Conduct written by Acharya Bhikshu
2nd Page of Letter of Conduct written by Jain Swetamber Terapanth First Spiritual Head Acharya Bhiksu in Rajasthani Language nearly 200 years ago

Acharya Bhikshu (1726–1803) was the founder and first spiritual head of the Svetambar Terapanth sect of Jainism.[1][2]

He was a disciple 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).[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'.

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. 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.

Life

Acarya Bhiksu (aka Bhikhanji) was born in Marwar in Rajasthan in 1726. He belonged to a merchant class named Bisa Oswal. He was initiated as a monk by a Sthanakvasi Acarya Ragunathji in 1751. He broke away from Sthanakvasi sect after receiving complaints from numerous lay followers in 1759. Upon reading the scriptures, he found that the order of monks have wandered away from true teachings of Jainism; Ragunathji seconded the same but was unwilling to bring the same in the sect as they were hard to follow by the other monks.[5]

Contribution

In the middle of the 18th century, Acharya Bhikshu led a reformist movement. A philosopher, writer, poet and social reformer, he wrote 38,000 "shlokas", now compiled in two volumes as "Bhikshu Granth Ratnakar". His "Nav Padarth Sadbhav", which advocated a society free from exploitation, and is regarded as a significant philosophical composition that deals exhaustively with the nine gems of Jain philosophy.

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. The stamp issued by the Department of Posts is in Rs. 5 denomination. Two special functions were organised 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 organised at Siriyari (Distt. Pali, Rajasthan) where Acharya Bhikshu had attained Nirvana.

Chronological list of Terapanth Acharyas

10th Terapanth Head Acharya Mahapragya
  1. Acharya Bhikshu
  2. Acharya Bharimal
  3. Acharya Raichand
  4. Acharya Jeetmal
  5. Acharya Meghraj
  6. Acharya Manak Lal
  7. Acharya Dalchand
  8. Acharya Kalu Ram
  9. Acharya Tulsi
  10. Acharya Mahapragya
  11. Acharya Mahashraman (current head)

Acharya Mahapragya always followed the steps of Acharya Bhiksu and 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.

Main Events

Achraya Shree Bikshuswami
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)In the place of Maniklalji Somavath, Siriyari. It has become one of the big holi place. Maniklalji SOMAVATH Family retains the place.
Tenure as Acharya 43 years and 2 months
No of Sadhu & Sadhvi at the time of passing away. Sadhu: 21 Sadhvi: 27

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Dundas, p. 254
  2. ↑ Singh, p. 5184
  3. ↑ Shashi, p. 945
  4. ↑ Vallely, p. 59
  5. ↑ Dundas 2002, p. 256

References

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