- Identity: A Svetambara Sthanakvasi sub-sect that organizes itself into a network of many panths (often described as 22 in some traditional accounts). Like other Sthanakwasi groups, they emphasize non-idol worship and practice in sthanakas (prayer halls) instead of temples. They maintain a more decentralized leadership structure with multiple teachers/acharyas over time. They are part of the non-idolatrous strand of Svetambara Jainism. You can read about Sthanakwasi characteristics and their general stance here.
- Practice and emphasis: Focus on meditation, scriptural study, and ethical living in simple communal settings rather than temple rituals. They typically accept a subset of Svetambara scriptures (historically about 31–32 texts) and avoid idol worship. The approach is broader in organizational diversity compared to Terapanthi. See related notes on Sthanakwasi practices.
13-Panth Terapanthi (Śvetāmbara Terapanthi)
- Identity: A distinctive offshoot of the Svetambara tradition founded by Bhikshu in the 18th century (1760 CE). It is known for its relatively centralized leadership under a single Acharya and a codified set of ethical principles (often described as the 13 “terapanth” guidelines: the 5 Mahavratas, 5 Samitis, and 3 Guptis). It is non-idolatrous and temple-free, but unlike some Sthanakwasi groups, it has a more formal organizational structure. You can read a concise comparison and Terapanthi basics here.
- Practice and emphasis: Emphasizes disciplined monastic life, group prayers, scriptural study, and a strong central guidance under the Acharya. Like Sthanakwasi, it rejects idol worship and temple-centered worship, but it is more centralized in governance and slightly stricter in certain disciplines. See detailed notes on Terapanthi practices and leadership.
Key points to remember
Both are Śvetāmbara Jain groups that reject idol worship and temple-centric rituals.
The Sthanakwasi tradition (including Baistola/22-panthi variants) tends to be more decentralized and historically broader in textual reception, with multiple teachers and somewhat flexible practices.
The Terapanthi tradition is a more centralized offshoot with a formal 13-principle framework and a single Acharya as spiritual head.
Both are non-idolatrous within the Śvetāmbara fold, but their organizational structures and historical development differ as described above.
If you’d like, I can point to more specific JainKnowledge pages that detail the 13-principle Terapanthi framework or the textual canons recognized by Sthanakwasi groups.
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