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Divisions in Jainism :: 111
celebrated every year on the 7th day of the bright half of the month of Māgha when all ascetics and lay disciples, male and female, meet together at one predetermined place and discuss the various problems of Terāpanthis.
The penance to Terāpanthis is considered to be very severe. The dress of Terapanthi monks and nuns is akin to that of Sthānakavāsi monks and nuns. But there is a difference in the length of mumhapatti, i.e., a piece of white cloth kept always on the mouth. The Terāpanthis believe that idolatry does not provide deliverance and attach importance to the practice of meditation.
Further, is may be stressed that the Terāpantha is known for its disciplined organisation characterised by one Achārya (i.e., religious head), one code of conduct and one line of thought. The Terapanthis are considered reformists as they emphasise simplicity in religion. For example, the Terāpanthis do not even construct monasteries for their monks, who inhabit a part of the house which the householders build for themselves. Recently their religious head, Achārya Tulasi, had started the Aņuvrata Andolana, that is, the small vow movement, which attempts to utilise the spiritual doctrines of the Jainas for moral uplift of the masses in India.
The rise of Terāpantha is the last big schism in the Svetāmbara sect and this Pantha is becoming popular. The Terapanthīs are still limited in number and even though they are noticed in different cities in India, they are concentrated mainly in Bikaner, Jodhpur and Marwar aeas of Rajasthan.
