History of Jainism

SR No.: 006741
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: U K Sharma
Publisher: D K Print World
Publication Year: 2002
Total Pages: 304
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 10 MB

Page 118

History of Jainism with Special Reference to Mathurā knowledge among the yaksiņīs, but the Svetāmbaras include only a few of them.194
7. Another belief peculiar to the Digambaras is that after obtaining
kevala-jñāna a saint can sustain life without nourishment.195
8. According to the present Digambara custom, a priest in a Digambara
temple must be a Jaina, but in a Svetāmbara temple the priest can be,
and usually is, a brāhmaṇa.196 9. The Svetāmbaras and the Digambaras also differ on the number of
moveable and immoveable beings. 197 10. The Digambara images of the tīrthařkaras are represented nude,198
but the Svetāmbaras represent the images of the tīrthařkaras
clothed and decorated with crowns and ornaments. 199 11. The Śvetāmbaras are extremely careful of all animal life, but the
Digambaras are moderately careful.200 12. The Digambaras bathe their images profusely, but the Svetāmbaras
use very little water for bathing their images.201 13. The Digambaras bathe and worship their images at night, but the
Svetāmbaras are opposed to this practice; they do not even light lamps in their temples.202
194. OISJ, pp. 64-5. 195. CHAI, III, p. 298 fn. 2. 196. Ibid., p. 299 fn. 1. 197. AOIU, p. 416. 198. OISJ, p. 65; JI, pp. 14-15; DJI, p. 34. 199. Ibid., Ibid., Ibid. 200. DJI, p. 35. 201. Ibid., p. 35. 202. Ibid., p. 36. Some Jaina customs and practices appear to vary from region to region. Some
Svetāmbara and Digambara practices mentioned by James Burgess in 'Digambara Jaina Iconography' (DJI), are probably prevalent among the South Indian Jainas only. See DJI, pp. 34-6.