Unity and Diversity Among Jains

The Jain religion is one of the oldest religions in the world and was also known as Shraman Dharma (austerity) and Nirgranth Dharma. It is not an offshoot of any other religion but is an independent religion recognized by these various names during different time periods. Propounders of Jainism in ancient times were also knows as: (1)

• Saman (monk) - One who believes in equality of all living beings and practices non-violence);
• Arhat  (worthy of worship) - One who lives virtuous life
• Tirthankar (Fordmaker) - One who originates the spiritual path of liberation and establishes the four fold religious order (monks, nuns, laymen, laywomen).  There are 24 Tirthankars in this time era and each Tirthankar revitalizes the Jain order.
• Arihant (destroyer) - One who destroys his inner enemies like anger, greed, passion, ego, etc.
• Nirganth (detached) - One who is detached or free from passions
• Jina (conqueror) - One who has conquered all of their desires

 A follower of a Jina is called a Jain and the religion followed by Jains is called Jainism. The current Jain Order (Sangh)  was reestablished by Lord Mahävira, who was the 24^th and last Tirthankar of the current time period.

Jainism has several different traditions.  There is very little difference among them and whatever little difference inconsequential.  However, each tradition brings a unique perspective and completes the picture in the true sense of Non-Absolutism (Anekantvad). For this reason, Jains are encouraged to keep their traditions but at the same time also participate in other Jain traditions, respect them, and embrace them to complete our Jain view.  Jains are also encouraged

The following are the major Jain traditions:

Though all the sects mentioned above differ from each other in respect of practical life, certain codes of conduct, observance etc., they unanimously accept and believe in such principles as non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, non-attachment, Anekantvad, Atmavad, Karmavad and the arrangement of the universe.

Jainism is mainly divided into two major sects, namely, Swetambar and Digambar.  Other splits happed over the years and one prominent one split was Sthankvasi.

Swetambars: (in three groups: Idol-worshippers; Sthanakvasi; Terapanth)

Swetambar - Idol Worshippers:

The Sadhus and Sadhvis of this sect wear white dress. They faithfully accept and respect the forty five Agam granthas, and all the Shastras and commentaries written by the great Acharyas of the past. Worship and spiritual endeavours are equal for both men and women. They worship and decorate the image.

Swetambars - Sthanakvasi:

This sect was started by a noble householder, by name, Laukashah (born 2001 years after the Nirvana of Mahavir or 1485 A.D.) and in doing so he gave a practical form to his ideologioal difference with the Swetambar sect.  The followers of this faith reject the institutions of temples, idol - worship and installation etc., but they accept only 32 out of the 45 Agamas (scriptures).  Shri Lavaji Rishi, of this sect (born Vikram Era 1704 or 1653A.D.) first introduced the practice of covering the mouth with a Muhpatti.

Swetambars - Terapanth

Shri Bhikhanji Swamy belonging to the Sthanakvasi sect born at Kelava (Rajnagar) in the Udaypur District of Rajasthan, in 1861 A.D. i.e., 2278 years after the Nirvan of Mahavir first propagated this sect, called the Terapanth. Some principles of the Sthanakvasi sect are in vogue in the Terapanth but they clearly and definitely prohibit the principles of mercy and charity.

Digambar

This sect which believes that nakedness is the only means to attain salvation was started by a Swetambar mendicant by name Shivbhuti in Rathvirpur, 609 years after the Nirvan of Mahavir i.e., in 84 A. D. in his attempt to give a practical shape to his ideological difference with his preceptor Arya Krishnamacharya.  The Digambar Sadhus are naked. They do dot wear or keep any clothes but they carry in their hands a Kamandal - a special kind of pot and a peacock's feather. They take food with their hands. (They do not take it off a plate etc ). They do not believe in decorating the idol and in the various kinds of worship and decorations of the idols.

Sthanakvasi

The Sthanakvasi arose not directly from the Svetambaras but as reformers of an older reforming sect, viz., the Lonka sect of Jainism. This Lonka sect was founded in about 1474 A.D. by Lonkashaha, a rich and well-read merchant of Ahmedabad. The main principle of this sect was not to practice idol-worship. Later on, some of the members of the Lonka sect disapproved of the ways of life of their ascetics, declaring that they lived less strictly than Mahavira would have wished.

Sthanakvasi do not have temples but only sthanakas, that is, prayer halls, where they carry on their religious fasts, festivals, practices, prayers, discourses, etc. Further, the ascetics of Sthanakvasi cover their mouths with strips of cloth for all the time and they do not use the cloth of yellow or any other color (of course, except white). Moreover, the Sthanakvasi admit the authenticity of only 31 of the scriptures of Svetambaras.  

Reason for the split:

Lord Mahavira's teachings were carried on by his ganadharas to us in the form of scriptures (Agams). They were compiled into twelve separate parts, known as the dwadashangi (twelve parts). These twelve compositions were acceptable to all followers. However, the dwadashangi were not put in writing for a long time. The Jain pupils learned them by memorizing them. About 150 years after the nirvana of Lord Mahavira, there was a drought for 12 years. During this time, some monks along with Bhadrabahuswami migrated to South. After the drought was over, some monks came back to North. They observed that there was some inconsistency in oral recollection of the Jain scriptures by different monks. That made them to compile scriptures. To accomplish that, the first council (conference) of monks was held in Patliputra about 160 years after Lord Mahavira’s nirvana. Monk Bhadrabahu, who had the knowledge of all 12 Angas, could not be present at that meeting. The rest of the monks could compile only the first eleven Angas by recollection and thus, the twelfth Anga was lost. The monks from the South did not agree with this compilation, and the first split in Jainism started. Jains divided into two main groups, Svetämbaras and Digambaras. Svetämbara monks wore white clothes. Digambara monks did not wore any clothes at all.

Source:

(1) Lord Mahavira and His Teachings - Complied by Pravin Shah

(2) www.jainworld.com

(3) History of Jainism: Digambar - Shwetambar Insignificant Differences, Jain Study Circular, Dr. Dulichand Jain, 1989