Can you name the main acharya of 20 panthi and 13 panthi
20
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.