Sallekhana Jain community. It has not been a "practical or general goal" among Svetambara Jains for many years. It was revived among Digambara monks. In 1955, Acharya Shantisagar, a Digambara monk took the vow because of his inability to walk without help and his weak eye-sight. In 1999, Acharya Vidyanand, another Digambara monk, took a twelve-year-long vow. Between 1800 and 1992, at least 37 instances of "Sallekhana" are recorded in Jain literature. There were 260 and 90 recorded Sallekhana deaths among Svetambara and Digambara Jains respectively between 1993 and 2003. According to Jitendra Shah, the Director of L D Institute of
Bispanthi Vidyananda, Acharya Vardhamansagar, Acharya Vishudsagar are regarded to be Bispanthis. Acharya Vidyasagar, a disciple of Acharya Gyansagar, is considered to be a Terapanthis, even though Acharya Gyansagar himself derived his tradition from Acharya Santisagar. However most Digambar monks do not use actually use either labels. Aryika pramuk Gyanmati Mataji and her sangha regards itself to be representing Bispanth. Traditionally, Jains have had two prime sects of Digambara and Svetambara. They were further subdivided into others on their thought schools. Where Digambar Terapanth professes 13 ways, the Bispanthis professed 20 ways to attain liberation. ("Bis+panthi = Twenty+Follower of a way.") Bispanthi