Bhikshu

Who was Bhikshu?

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".

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'.