Understanding the Sects and Schools of Jainism

Jainism is one of the world’s oldest religions in practice. The origin of Jainism is in ancient India, and a huge population of Jains lives here. The scripture called Purva was the original doctrine of Jainism, and some of it was lost during migration to the south. On compiling the remaining, there were some disputes among people regarding the authenticity of Purva. Due to this, Jainism is divided into two sects or schools of thought. The name of the two sects is Digambara and Svetambara sects

Digambara Sect

The Digambara sect is one of the two sects of Jainism. The word Digambara in Sanskrit means ‘sky clad.’ The Religious Practices of the Digambaras are very different from any other religious practices. The Digambaras monk does not wear any clothes, both in public and private. They believe that by discarding clothes or other worldly possessions, they have been able to refuse to give in to the body’s demand for comfort. 

Some of the principles of Digambaras are

• They carry only two things, a peacock fur to clean the path so that no insects are killed and a water gourd to drink water.
• The Digambara monks eat in a standing posture only once a day.
• They do not touch images in a temple.

The Digambara sects are further divided into some major and minor sub-sects due to the differences in interpretations of the teachings of Jainism or the practice of rituals. The following sub-sects are

Bisapantha

The Bisapantha subsect relies upon the services of religious authorities known as Bhattarakas. The Bispanthas worship the images or idols of Tirthankaras and the other deities like Ksetrapala and Padmavati. They worship these idols with saffron, flowers, fruits, sweets, scents, incense sticks, etc. The offerings are distributed to the devotees who participate in the worship.

Terapanth

Terapantha somewhat follows the Bispantha subsect, but some minor differences. They worship only the idol of Tirthankaras and not of any other deities. Unlike Bispantha, they worship the idols with sandals, almonds, dry coconuts, dates, cloves, and ‘Aksata,’ which is rice.

Taranapantha/Samaiyapantha

Tarana Swami founded Taranapantha subsect. This subsect is also called Samaiyapantha. The followers worship the sacred books of Diagambara and not idols. They also don’t offer anything at the time of worship.

Gumanapantha

Gumanapantha is the minor subsect of Digambara, and very few facts are available about it. It was founded by Pandit Gumani Rama. According to Gumanapanaths, the Lighting of candles or lamps is strictly prohibited in Jainism temples.

Totapantha

The Totapanthas subsect results from differences between Bispantha(twenty Pantha) and Terapantha (thirteen pantha.) Thus, the followers of Totapantha follow both doctrines to some extent.

Svetambara sect

Svetambara in Sanskrit means ‘white-clad.’ The Svetambara sect is one of the two sects of Jainism. According to Svetambaras, total nudity is not necessary for salvation. Hence, they wear white clothes and also carry some other necessary possessions. It is seen that the majority of the Svetambaras are Murtipujakas and worship before the idols of Tirthankaras and also other Jain Goddesses. The Svetambara sect is also divided into three main subsects. They are

Murtipujaka

The followers of this sub-sect are predominantly image or idol worshippers. They are also called Pujera (worshippers), Deravasi or Chaitvyasi (temple residents), and Mandira-Margi(temple goers). The main ascetic of this sect is that they cover their mouth with a cloth or hold it in their hands when they speak.

Sthanakvasi

Sthanakvasi sub sect was founded by Viraj, a Jina monk in the 18th century. This sect did not arise directly from Svetambaras but reforms from the Lanka sect. The main principle of this sect is not to worship any images or idols of Tirthankaras. The Sthanakvasis live in a prayer hall called Sthanakas and not in well-decorated temples.

Terapanthi

Terapanthi is a division within Sthanakavasi. This sub-sect is founded by Muni Bhkianji(a follower of Sthanakvasi). The Terapanthi is a path of thirteen principles. There are five vows known as Smahavratas, five observances called Samitis, and three restraints called Guptis. The Members of this sub-sect believe in simple living and reject the practice of worshipping images physically and mentally. 

Differences between Digambara and Svetambara-Two sects of Jainism

• The Digambaras always remain naked while the Svetabaras wear white clothes.
• The Digambaras believe that nudity is a prerequisite to attaining salvation, whereas the Svetabaras do not believe in complete nudity. They follow the path of Parsvanatha, who always wore white robes.
• The Digambaras believe that the women are not capable of attaining salvation since they could not observe the vow of non-possession strictly. On the other hand, according to Svetambaras, women are equally qualified to attain salvation.
• Also with regard to omniscience, the Digambaras believe that monks do not require any food. Svetabaras refute this as they believe any monks or nuns need food to nourish their body as long as they discard the body.

Conclusion

As with any other religious division, there is also division in Jainism practices. Digambara and Svetambara are the two sects of Jainism which were formed in the early period. The Digambara monks are naked while those of Svetambaras wear white clothes. There are no fundamental doctrinal differences between them. The most authoritative sacred text of all Jainas is the Tattvartha Adhigama-sutra by Umasvati.