Essence of Jainism

Author(s): Jyoti Prasad Jain
Publisher: Shuchita Publication Varanasi

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the Beespantha which is much less so in both these aspects and adheres to the institution of the Bhattarakas, the saffron-robed religious pontifs; and the Samayya or Taranapantha which is opposed to temple and image worship. The Shvetambara sect is divided into the temple worshippers and Sadhumargis. The former adorn the images of the Jinas and indulge in an elaborate worship-ritual, while the latter are opposed to temple and image worship and are further divided into the Sthanakavasis and the Terapanthis. The ascetics of both these denominations wear a piece of cloth (muhapatti) over the mouth. All the Shvetambara ascetics of the three demoninations wear a piece of two or three simple, unsewn, white garments and keep very limited possessions. A Jaina ascetic, male or female, of whichever sect or subsect, has no home, no worldly possessions, no intimate associations with householders, takes meals only once in a day, and does not stay in any one place for more than
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