Jains Today in World

SR No.: 001794
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Pirre Paul AMIEL
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 2008
Total Pages: 360
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, History, Religion, E000, & E005
File Size: 24 MB

Page 58

Their Diversity : 29 research on Jainism in Ladnun (Rajasthan). The “Terāpanthi” Śvetāmbara nuns also are headed by only one “Sadhvi Pramukhā” (presently Mahāśramaņa Sadhvi Pramukhā Kanaka Prabhaji), herself under the authority of the Ācārya of that branch.
The Śvetāmbara “Terāpanthi" put emphasis on profound meditation (prekṣā dhyāna). They regularly organise a great festival called “Maryāda Mahotsava” attended by the laity and ascetics of that branch to debate on the questions and problems that the obedience faces. Their penances are of a great severity. Monks and nuns follow instructions and orders of their Ācārya whose “muhapatti" is longer than that of the “Sthānakavāsī”. They have neither temples nor organised “upāśraya". During monsoon in India, they reside in shelters erected by lay associations called “Aņuvrata Samiti“. Within their monks are a number of “Sramaņa” (or “Samaņi” for the nuns) who only take partial vows.
For the Švetāmbara, the creation of this branch has constituted a proper rift. Their communities are in some major cities, especially in Bikaner and Jodhpur, and in the Marwar region of Rajasthan.
4. Jain castes and sub-castes
Mahāvīra was opposed to the Vedic system of castes. He advocated the equality of all human beings. Nevertheless, apart the above-mentioned branches, it also exists among the Jains division of castes and sub-castes but not of the same order than the system of superior, inferior and untouchable classes in Hindu society.
We have mentioned different groups of Jain ascetics (gana, gaccha, samgha, śākhā) with their particularities and own customs, They are not true castes.