Basic Principles Of Jainism

Author(s): Narayan Lal Kachhara
Publisher: Narayan Lal Kachhara

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for covering part of their bodies and keeping some wooden pots. Thus Jain Shramanas were divided in two sects Digambara and Svetambara. The practice of adorning the idols of Tirthankaras with gold and diamond ornaments and silk cloth came into vogue. S. Gopalan holds the view that the division became permanent in 83 A.D. Though there never were any fundamental doctrinal differences between the two sects, the division continues to this day.
Digambaras
The ideal ascetics of this sect are naked. They possess a small bunch of peacock feathers (picchi) for the purpose of delicately moving aside living insects etc. if there be any before sitting on a ground or a plank. They also carry a kamandalu or a kind of wooden pot for water which they carry when they go out to answer the calls of nature. They take food and drinks only once a day by the use of their palms joined together to serve as a bowl.
Sub-sects amongst Digambaras
There are three sub-sects amongst the Digambaras viz., (1) Terahapantha (2) Bisapantha and (3) Taranapantha.
Terahapantha
The heads of Jaina Matha were called Bhattarakas. They possessed property and other paraphernalia incidental to their office. A section of the community seems to have taken objection to their way of life and stopped respecting them or saluting them. One Banarasidasa, a resident of Agra seems to have headed this opposition sometime in the 17th century. The group came to be known as Terahapanthi. The followers do not respect the Bhattarakas. They are opposed to decorating the idols. They prohibit the use of flowers and saffron in the worship. This group spread to all parts of India.
Bisapantha
The supporters of the Bhattarakas styled themselves as Bisapanthis. They follow the customary practices of worship of naked idols. They use flower and scented agarbattis (incense sticks) at the time of worship and make offerings of fruits etc.
Taranapantha.
One person by name Taranataranasvami who died in Malhargadha in the former princely state of Gwalior in 1515 A.D. was the originator of this group. The place of his Samadhi is regarded as a place of pilgrimage by his followers. They prohibit idol worship. They build temples but keep sacred books for worship. They do not offer articles like fruits and flowers at the time of worship. Besides the books sacred to the Digambaras, they also worship the books written by their Acharyas. Their population is mostly confined to Madhya Pradesh.
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