Jinamanjari 2001 04 No 23

Author(s): Jinamanjari
Publisher: Canada Bramhi Jain Society Publication

Page 47

Digambara's nakedness, or the Sthānakavāsī's aversion to image worship. Śrīmad opposed religious practise that was not authorised by the experience of samyak darśana. To perform religious action, or follow a dress code, for traditional, rather than soteriological reasons was pointless. He criticised practise that was, in his opinion, soteriologically ineffective, but which had been legitimised by sectarian traditions. Religious practise had to be effective, not for effect.
In response to this an anti-sectarian ethic permeates the Srimad Rājacandra movement. Śrīmad's followers perform pūjā in either Digambara or svetambara temples because it is the effect of the ritual that is important, not the appearance of the image (in practise a devotee may have a personal preference but this is not a religious dictate). In dedication to Srimad's anti-sectarianism, Lallu had a Digambara and Svetāmbara temple, and a Sthānakavāsī prayer hall installed in the dedicated āśram which he founded at Agās. Gurus within the Srimad Rājacandra movement are not identified by an external sign, but their disciples recognise them by their behaviour, which they regard as the example of someone who is self-realised.
Srimad was not opposed to monasticism, he wanted to take dikşā, but died before he had the opportunity. However, his anti-sectarianism has caused a climate of aversion to monastic systems amongst the śrīmad Rājacandra movement, because members equate monasticism with sectarianism. Śrīmad's uninitiated state is also problematic. An initiated mendicant would not be permitted to worship śrīmad because he was a householder. This in itself prohibits śrīmad's followers from taking dīksā. Jainism has historically invested considerable effort in incorporating its laity within its social organisation. As a modern development, the Srimad Rājacandra movement has pushed this to its limit and become a lay organisation without monastic supervision.
Guru Bhakti
Srimad teaches that the safest, most direct route to samyak darśana is guru bhakti. The aspirant offers absolute devotion to a living preceptor who guides the aspirant's religious
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