Jainism and Mahavira

Author(s): Bhagchandra Jain Bhaskar
Publisher: Digambar Jain Sahitya Sanskriti Sanskaran Samiti

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came to an end. The former, who stuck strictly to the regulation of nudity and prescribed the methods of begging and eating food came to be known as “ Digambara" (the sky-robed). The latter, who continued to live under famine conditions and changed their ways became known as "Svetambara" (the white-robed). Thus, the main cause for the schism in Jaina order was the attitude to traditional norms of conduct.
Athird section of the order named Yapaniya reached Southern part of India via Mathura of the Surasena region and tried for centuries to reconcile between the two divergent sects, together, though without success in about third century B.C. (V.S.205). After spliting the Jaina order, this was the first attempt when one strived to combine both the sects Digambara and Svetambara. The yapaniyas preached the conduct of Digambaras and favoured the progressive attitude of Svetambaras. They used to live naked. worship nude images, adore Mayurapiccha, according to Digambara tradition, whereas they believed in Strimukti, Kevalikavalahara and Savastramukti which resemble to the Svetambara tradition. Both the traditions may have borrowed so many things from Yapaniyas. .
Digambara sect is said to have remained intact upto Lohacharya, 685 years after Mahavira's Nirvana and was not divided into Ganas, Kulas and Gacchas. Thereafter came into being the Aratiyas, the knowers of part of Anga-purvas. By that time some changes had naturally taken place in the order according to social needs and eventually new Sanghas arose up. Vanavasis became Caityavasis. The monks who were in favour of stern penance started new movements against the Caityavasis and other companions, the so called Jainabhasas by Devasena. The Aratiya and Sivagupta created Ganas and Sanghas at the time of monks' congragration held at Mahanamagiri with the view to avoid relaxation of norms in conduct.
The Digambara sect was afterwards divided into Ganas, Kulas and Sanghas. The Bhattaraka (saffron-robed) tradition was started by Vasatakirti in the 13th century A.D. at Mandapadurga (Rajasthan) who preached to keep one garment and worship Ksetrapalas and Jinas with their follower deities. The relaxation in conduct was not accepted by a section and ultimately Banarasidasa in the 17th century A.D. started a new sect called "Vidhimarga" or“ Adhyatmi" around Agara and Jaipur. In spiritual language it is called" Terapan