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Of Jaina Sect
FRANCIS BUCHANAN
The Jain seem long to have been divided into two sects, the Swetambar and Digambar ; but of late, as among the orthodox, schisms have arisen, and sundry 'people have pretended to find new ways to heaven by what are called the Terepanthi and Bispanthi, that is, the 13 and 20 roads ; while others called Duriyas have separated still farther from former opinions. The Digambars are also called Bhattaraks. Of these there are scarcely any in this district ; nor were there any among the pilgrims with whom I conversed. I believe, however, that in the south the Digambars are the most prevalent. The Digambars, or at least their priests, ought to go naked ; but, if those I saw in the south belonged to this sect, as I believe was the case, they have given up this absurdity; and even Pandita Acharya, who had obtained nirham, or divinity, was as decently clothed as an ordinary man. What convinces me that it was the Digambar with whom I met in the south is, that this sect has 24 books, called Purans, as mentioned in my account of Mysore. The names of these books are : Adipuran or Chakradhar Puran, Ajil Puran, Sambhav Puran, Abhinandan Puran, Saumati Puran, Padmaprabha Puran, Sauparsa Puran, Chandraprabha Puran, Saubidhinathiya Puran, Saitalnathiya Puran, Sriyangsanathiya Puran, Vasupujya Puran, Bimalanathiya Puran, Anantanathiya Puran, Dharmanathiya Puran, Santinathiya Puran, Kunthunathiya Puran, Armallanathiya Puran, Munisubratanathiya Puran, Naminathiya Puran, Nemnathiya Puran, Parsanathiya Puran, Mahavira Puran, and Uttara Puran. These books, so far as I can learn, give an account of the 24 Tirthangkars, or lawgivers of the sect; the first 23 giving each an account of one such person, while the Uttara Puran gives an account of the whole. The sect of Digambar in performing its ceremonies is said to be guided by books called Siddhanta, which form its code (Agam). The books are : Trailokyasar, Gomatsar, Pungjaraj, Trailokyadipak Kshepanasar, Siddhantasar, Tribhangisar and Shatpawar.
Many of these Purans and Siddhantas are attributed to Gautama or other chief rulers (Ganadhar) of the sect who are supposed to relate what was said by the Tirthangkars, or law givers.
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