Jain Journal 1978 07

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 36

JULY, 1978
29
Yapaniya Sangha, 41 Kurccaka Sangha,42 Dravida Sangha, 43 Kastha Sangha, 44 Mathura Sangha, 45 etc. whose ancestry includes the northern strains and some local southern origins, i.e. commingling of both. This fact show a redaction in religious rites of orthodox Jainas and the assertion of local religious rites and beliefs. The members of the Southern group of Jaina Sanghas were numerous in the Southern realm of Jaina Sangha and they are found as far as Inner area and Northern region of it.
In the Western group of Jaina Sanghas there are found two or three similar factors so important in the Sangha-composition of modern India that they must be described in brief. The sects of Lonka Gaccha, 46 Sthanakavasins 47 and Terapanthins 48 were formed by the inter-association of the various sub-sects on the basis of the principle of anti-image cult and other minor differences of monastic rules and conducts and they show a combination of their characteristics.
Lonka Gaccha was founded by Lonka Shah by making a blending of thoughts on the anti-image cult. And it is typically puritan in its outlook on the ascetic life. A large number of monks of this sect flourished in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
The Sthanakavasin sect is a mixture of Lonkagaccha, having its anti-image cult, and other Jaina sects. Its monks are flourishing in Western realm, of Jaina Sangha, i.e. mostly in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
The Terapanthin sect was born out of the Sthanakavasin sect under the spiritual leadership of Acarya Bhikhamji who fell out from his guru and his ancestral or parental Sangha. This sect is based on the thirteen
41 Ibid., Nos. 99, 100, etc. It appears that Yapaniya Sangha was the native school
of Jaina Sangha in South India. 42 Ibid., Nos. 37, p. 70. 43 Darsanasara, Jinasena, 26; Jaina Silalekha Sangraha, Pt. II, No. 166, p. 207,
etc. 44 Jaina Silalekha Sangraha, Pt. III, p. 579, etc. 45 Ibid., IV, No. 265, p. 115., etc. 46 Pattavali Samuccaya, Pt. I, pp. 66-67, 156-7, 172, etc. 47 See Notes on the Sthanakavasin by Kesari Chand Bhandari (Indore) and
Pattavali Paraga Sangraha. 48 Pattavali Paraga Sangraha ; Jain Sraman Sanghaka Itihas, p. 108.