Book Title: Jaina Philosophy Historical Outline
Author(s): Narendra Nath Bhattacharya
Publisher: Munshiram Manoharlal Publisher's Pvt Ltd New Delhi
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PART ONE
INTRODUCTION
The Jains as they are
THE Jain community1 forming about 048 per cent of the total
population of India, is spread all over the country with the Digambara majority in South and the Svetambara in the North. The followers of Jainism totalled just over 1,650,000 in the 1960's, and by this time their number must have been increased, although the rate of their growth is not at all speedy. More than 40 per cent of the total Jain population are found in Gujarat and Maharashtra, nearly 25 per cent in Rajasthan and about 15 per cent in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The rest are scattered over other parts of India. It is interesting to note that there are no Jains among the indigenous inhabitants of Bengal and Bihar where Jainism had its origin. The community being composed mainly of traders and merchants is essentially urban in character and therefore has got a fairly high percentage of literacy.
The Digambara Jains are divided into five sub-sects-Bisapanthi, Terapanthi, Taraṇapanthi (Samaiyāpanthi), Gumanapanthi and Totāpanthi-and the Svetambaras into three-Murtipujaka (Pujera, Deravāsī), Sthānakavāsī (Dhuṇḍiya, Bistola, Sadhumärgi) and Terapanthi. Also there are further subdivisions in each of these sub-sects. The major sects themselves are subdivided into smaller groups like the Samghas and Ganas in the South and into Kulas and Sākhās, and later on, in Gacchas in the North. It is said that during the tenth century Uddyotana started 84 Gacchas through his disciples. Most of these Gacchas have become extinct in course of time and some new ones like the Tapā, Kharatara, Añcala, etc. have come into existence. The Siddharabasti Pillar inscription of AD 1398 records the tradition that Arhadbali split the Mulasamgha Kundakundanvaya into four branches, namely, Sena, Nandi, Deva and Simha. The earliest mention of the Mulasamgha and Kundakundanvaya is met with in the
'For details see Sangave, JCSS.
