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JAIN DIGEST .. May 2011
The Jain Digamber Sampraday
The history of Digamber
that is, religious
authorities known as sect for the first six
Bhattarak who are also centuries is very hazy. The
the heads of Jain Maths Digambers unlike
(monasteries). The Shwetambers did not write
Bisapanth, in their detailed historical accounts
temples, worship the idols of their sect, and what has
of Tirthankars. They also been written seems to have
worship the idols of been created around the
Ksetrapala, Padmavati 6th century AD (based on
and other deities. the inscription found in
Digamber Terapanth Shravana Belgola).
arose in North India in the According to Digamber
year around 1664 AD as tradition, the breakup of
a revolt against the joint sangh began with
domination and conduct Vishakha, who was a
of the Bhattarakas. As a disciple of Bhadrabahu.
result, in this sub-sect, the Many believe that it was in
institution of Bhattarakas the 2nd century AD that
lost respect in North India. Acharya Kundakunda set
In their temples, the the Digamber tradition on a
Terapanthis install the firm footing. Today most
idols of Tirthankars and Digamber traditions revere
Shravanbelagola, located 51 km not of other deities. The Acharya Kundakunda more south-east of Hassan in Karnataka
Terapanthis are more in than Vishaka and
is one of the most important Jain Bhadrabahu, who are pilgrim centers of India. It is
number in Uttar Pradesh, especially sacred for the Digamber otherwise above in the
Rajasthan, and Madhya community. The Statue of the Jain lineage of saints.
Pradesh. saint Gommateshwara (AD 981)
Taranapanth is known Digamber Sampraday, in carved out of a mountain, said to be
after its founder Taranarecent centuries, has been one of the tallest and most graceful
Swami or Tarana-taranadivided into the following statues in the world, is situated in
Swami (1448-1515 A.D.). this small town atop the Indragiri sub-sects: hills. The colossal monolithic
This sub-sect is also Major sub-sects:
statue is 58 ft high, with 26 ft wide called Samaiyapantha 1. Bispanth shoulders, 10-ft of its feet.
because its followers 2. Digamber Terapanth Strikingly simple and beautifully
worship Sarnaya, i.e., 3. Taranapanth or chiseled features of this statue have
sacred books and not the embodied serenity for over 1030 Samaiyapanth years. For an historical and
idols. Taranapanthis Other sub-sects: archeological standpoint, this
strongly refute idolatry but location stands out due to the a. Gumanapanth
they have their own many ancient inscriptions found at temples in which they b. Totapanth this location.
keep their sacred books c. Kanji-Panth
for worship. Taranapanthis give more importance Bispanth, according to some, is the original
to spiritual values and the study of sacred group of Digamber sect and has the highest
literature instead of any ceremonial pujas. The following among all Digamber Jains. Bispanth has
Taranapanthis are few in number and are mostly a large following in Karnataka, Maharashtra.
confined to Bundelkhand and Malwa area of Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Gujarat. The followers of Bispanth support the Dharma-gurus,
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