Jains in India and Abroad

Author(s): Prakash C Jain
Publisher: International Summer School for Jain Studies

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ardhaphalaka sect and its descendents the Yapanias were possibly the prototypes of Shvetambar Jains. Digambaras and Shvetambaras differ on about a dozen minor as well as major points. The major points of difference include the practice of nudity, "soteriology and women", and the possessions of ascetics. Whereas Digambar Jainism requires its highest ranking ascetics to observe absolute nudity, and denies them to have any possessions other than pichchhi (broom made of peacock feathers) and kamandala (wooden pot), and believes that women cannot attain liberation, the Shvetambara Jainism is liberal on these counts. The Shvetambaras also believe that the 19th Tirthankara Mallinath was a female; Digambaras believe that all the Tirthankaras were male. These and other points of difference between the two sects however do not come in the way of their doctrinal unity. The most influential text of Jainism, the Tattvartha Sutra written by Acharya Umasvami/Umasvati (2nd century B.C.E.), is accepted by both the sects. The two sects got further sub-divided into a number of sub-sects at various points of time during the past 500 years or so (See Jain, M.U.K. 1975; Banks 1986; Dundas 1992).
Digambara Sub-Sects
There are three major sub-sects within Digambara Jainism, namely Bisapantha, Terapantha, and Taranpantha.
Bisapanth
This is the original idolatrous (idol worshipping) stream of Digambar Jainism whose followers support the institution of Bhattarak (head of religious monastery or math) that flourished in the medieval period from 14th to 19th century. The Panth believes in worshipping idols of Kshetrapals, Padmawati and other deities' alongwith those of the Tirathankaras. The Bisapanthis "worship these idols with saffrons, flowers, fruits, sweets, scented agarbattis i.e. insense [sic] sticks, etc" (Sangve 2006: 104). Bispanthi Digambar Jains are mainly found in south Indian states, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.
Terapanth
This reformer sub-sect originated within the Bisapantha sometime in the early 17th century C.E. as a revolt against the domination and conduct of the Bhattarakas. At the same time its origin is also traced
8 Jains in India and Abroad