We have already become aware of the two major denominations of Jain religion:
A. The Digambara Sect, and
B. The Svetambara Sect
One of the major areas where the two departed from one another is the concept and practice of aparigraha, non-possession. In this final lesson on Jain religion, we will explore the two briefly before we review for the mid term examination!
A. Digambara Sect
1. This group takes the virtue of aparigraha in an extreme sense. For them a perfect saint should possess “absolutely nothing”, not even a piece of cloth on his body to cover the nakedness. As a result the member of the Digambara sect prefer “absolute nudity”.
2. Hence they are considered “sky-clad” in Jain literature in English and are relatively more rigid in their observances towards other aspects of saintliness too! For example they maintain celibacy.
3. Digambaras believe that women cannot become so pure and work towards moksha. They also talk about the “impossibility”, or “impracticability”, of women renouncing the clothes. Consequently the Digambaras would argue for the women to be born as men before they strive for saintliness and eventual moksha!
4. The only possessions of a Digambara will be a “gourd” to store drinking water and a broom made of peacock feathers (the peacock drops) to sweep the ground.
B. Svetambara Sect
1. This group does not, in the name of purity and austerity, go to such extremes like the Digambara sect.
2. They prefer wearing white cloth on their bodies and consequently known as the “white-clad” in Jain literature in English.
3. Svetambaras believe that both men and women are capable of same spiritual achievements including moksha. However, in reality monks play a superior role to the nuns!
4. They also believe, unlike the Digambaras, the nineteenth Thirthankara Malli is a woman.
5. Sub sects of Svetambara include Murtipujaks who worship in temples and Sthanakvasi and Terapanthi, both emphasize ahimsa to its extreme!
Both the Digambaras and the Svetambaras within themselves have been divided into several sub sects. However, on the whole, particularly in terms of “beliefs and practices” the two groups hardly are different from one another! So far as the essentials are concerned they, both with their sub sects, are one.
Question to Explore:
Explain the similarities and differences among the different denominations of the Jain followers.
A. The Digambara Sect, and
B. The Svetambara Sect
One of the major areas where the two departed from one another is the concept and practice of aparigraha, non-possession. In this final lesson on Jain religion, we will explore the two briefly before we review for the mid term examination!
A. Digambara Sect
1. This group takes the virtue of aparigraha in an extreme sense. For them a perfect saint should possess “absolutely nothing”, not even a piece of cloth on his body to cover the nakedness. As a result the member of the Digambara sect prefer “absolute nudity”.
2. Hence they are considered “sky-clad” in Jain literature in English and are relatively more rigid in their observances towards other aspects of saintliness too! For example they maintain celibacy.
3. Digambaras believe that women cannot become so pure and work towards moksha. They also talk about the “impossibility”, or “impracticability”, of women renouncing the clothes. Consequently the Digambaras would argue for the women to be born as men before they strive for saintliness and eventual moksha!
4. The only possessions of a Digambara will be a “gourd” to store drinking water and a broom made of peacock feathers (the peacock drops) to sweep the ground.
B. Svetambara Sect
1. This group does not, in the name of purity and austerity, go to such extremes like the Digambara sect.
2. They prefer wearing white cloth on their bodies and consequently known as the “white-clad” in Jain literature in English.
3. Svetambaras believe that both men and women are capable of same spiritual achievements including moksha. However, in reality monks play a superior role to the nuns!
4. They also believe, unlike the Digambaras, the nineteenth Thirthankara Malli is a woman.
5. Sub sects of Svetambara include Murtipujaks who worship in temples and Sthanakvasi and Terapanthi, both emphasize ahimsa to its extreme!
Both the Digambaras and the Svetambaras within themselves have been divided into several sub sects. However, on the whole, particularly in terms of “beliefs and practices” the two groups hardly are different from one another! So far as the essentials are concerned they, both with their sub sects, are one.
Question to Explore:
Explain the similarities and differences among the different denominations of the Jain followers.
