Can you name the main acharya of 20 panthi and 13 panthi
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Answer
Yes. In the Digambar Jain tradition, the commonly mentioned main Acharyas connected with these reform movements are:
- Terapanth / 13 Panth: Āchārya Bhikṣu is the main founder-acharya of the Terapanth tradition.
- Bisapanth / 20 Panth: There is no single universally accepted “founder-acharya” in the same way. Bisapanth represents the older Digambar temple-worship tradition, especially associated with practices like worship with offerings.
Explanation
In Digambar Jain history:
- Bisapanth means “twenty-sect” and is generally understood as the older ritual-oriented Digambar tradition.
- Terapanth means “thirteen-sect” and arose as a reform movement against certain ritual practices. Its principal founder is traditionally known as Āchārya Bhikṣu.
Takeaway
The main name clearly associated with 13 Panth / Terapanth is Āchārya Bhikṣu. For 20 Panth / Bisapanth, Jain tradition does not usually identify one single main acharya as its founder.