Jainism And Its History

SR No.: 032590
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Research Foundation for Jainology
Publication Year: 2018
Total Pages: 328
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 34 MB

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in idol-worship. It is at this time the Jainas, like the Hindus came under the influence of simple and unostentatious religious practices of the Muslims. In Jaina tradition too, like Nirguna saints in Hindu tradition many saints appeared who opposed ritualistic forms of idol-worship with fanfare. As a result, a reformist movement began in both Svetambara and Digambara sects of Jaina religion. Among them Lokashah in the Svetambara tradition and Taranaswami and Banarasi Das in the Digambara tradition were the prominent ones. Though, Banarasi Das belonged to Svetambara tradition by birth, his reformative movement was related to Digambara tradition. Lokashah opposed idol-worship, ostentatious religious rituals and fanfare. This sect later came to be known as Lokagaccha. It is this, which developed Into Sthānakavāsi sect in 17th century AD, which again in 18th century AD got branched off into another sect called Svetambara Terāpantha based on pure ideology of the path of renunciation; with its own interpretation of the prohibitive aspect of the concept of non-violence.
In Digambara sect Banarasi Das raised his voice against Bhattārakas and also denounced the worship of Jina-idols with living (Sacitta) substances. But Taranaswami went a step further. He prohibited idol-worship altogether in Digambara sect; not only this, he re-established the spiritual aspect of religion. The sect pioneered by Banarasi Das grew as Digambara Terāpantha and Taranaswami's movement became known as Taranapantha or Samaiya. In the Caityalaya of Taranapantha sacred text or ‘sastra’ was installed in place of the idol. Thus, in 16th century AD, tradition took a new turn because of the influence of Islam and new sects which did nol be in idolworship were also born. However, old sectors continued as they were.
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