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Divisions in Jainism :: 107
some extent in the doctrines of Bisapantha and to some extent in those of Terāpantha.
The Totāpanthis are extremely few in number and are found in some pockets in Madhya Pradesh.
In connection with the account of the major and minor sub-sects prevailing among the Digambara sect, it is worthwhile to note that in recent years in the Digambara sect a new major sub-sect known as “Kānaji-pantha', consisting of the followers of Kānaji Svāmí is being formed and is getting popular especially among the educated sections. Saint Kānaji Svāmi (from whom the name “Kānaji-pantha' is derived), a Svetāmbara-Sthānakavāsi by birth, largely succeeded in popularising the old sacred texts of the great Digambara Jaina saint Achārya Kundakunda of South India. But Kānaji Svāmi's efforts, while interpreting Achārya Kunda's writings, to give more prominence to nischaya-naya, that is, realistic point of view, in preference to vyavahāra-naya, that is, practical view point, are not approved by the Digambaras in general as they consider that both the view points are of equal importance. However, the influence of Kānajipantha is steadily increasing and Sonagarh town in Gujarat and Jaipur in Rajasthan have become the centres of varied religious activities of the Kānajipanthis.
5. The Svetāmbara Sub-sects
Like the Digambara sect, the Svetāmbara sect has also been split into three main sub-sects:
(i) Mūrtipūjaka, (ii) Sthānakavāsi, and (iii) Teräpanthi.
(1) Mūrtipūjaka
The original stock of the Svetāmbaras is known as Mūrtipūja Svetāmbaras since they are the thorough worshippers of idols. They offer flowers, fruits, saffron, etc., to their idols and invariably adorn them with rich clothes and jewelled ornaments.
