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(worshippers) constituted the original stock of Shvetambara Jainism. They worship idols of Tirthankaras which are richly decorated with cloths. The worship is done with flowers, fruits, saffron, etc. The ascetics, both male and female, wear white cloths and cover their mouth with strips of cloth while speaking; otherwise they keep them in their hands. They stay in temples or in the especially reserved buildings known as Upashrayas (Sangave 2006: 108). The followers of this sub-sect are mainly concentrated in Gujarat, but increasingly now they are also found in most major towns and cities of India.
Sthanakvasi This sect initially known as Lonka sect founded by Lonka Shah in Ahmadabad in 1474 C.E. was subsequently reformed in 1653 C.E. by a Surat-based layman, Viraji. At that time followers were known as Dhundiliyas (searchers). Then and later on they were also called Sthanakvasi meaning those who performed their religious activities not in temples but in Sthanakas (Prayer Halls). The Sthanakavasis do not believe in building temples, idol-worship, and pilgrimage. The ascetics wear white cloths and cover their mouth with cloth strips. The Sthanakvasis are mainly found in Gujrat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana.
Terapanth An offshoot of Sthnakvasi sub-sect, Terapanthi sub-sect was founded by Achrarya Bhikanji in 1760 A.D. Like Sthnakvasis, Terapanthis also do not believe in idol-worshipping. Since its inception some 250 years ago, it has been closely organized under eleven successive Acharyas of the Panth, including the current incumbent Acharya Mahashraman. Its 9th guru Archarya Tulsi (1914-97) had earned considerable name and fame for himself for his Anubrata movement that emphasized five small vows of Jainism for moral wellbeing of the masses. Mainly concentrated in certain areas of Rajasthan, Terapanthis are also found in some major towns and cities of north and central India.
To sum up, it is indeed ironical that a religion that professes anekantvad (doctrine of relativisim) should be having so many sects and sub-sects and that too with arrays of contestations and confrontations taking place within and among them. Apart from the
11 Jains in India and Abroad
