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  • How.is Sadhumargi sangh different from shraman sangh
  • author Posted by
    Jain Follower

    How.is Sadhumargi sangh different from shraman sangh

    7 months ago 172

    Both are Jain Śvetāmbara Sthānakvāsī groups, so in doctrine and basic practice they are very similar. The main differences are organizational, history and acharya‑paramparā.

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    1. What is Sādhumārgī Saṅgh?

    • “Sādhumārgī” = those who follow the path of sādhus (ascetics).
    • It is a Sthānakvāsī, non‑idol‑worshipping Jain saṅgh.
    • Monks and nuns wear white clothes, use muhpaṭṭī, do pratikraman, svādhyāy, dhyān, etc.
    • Worship is done in simple halls (sthanak/upāśray), without mūrtis.
    • It has its own Acharya and senior sadhus, own internal rules and management, and its own network of sanghs in places like Rajasthan, Gujarat, etc.

    You can read more here

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    2. What is Śramaṇ Saṅgh (Vardhman Sthānakvāsī Jain Śrāvak Saṅgh)?

    When people say “Śramaṇ Saṅgh” today, they usually mean the Vardhman Sthānakvāsī Jain Śrāvak Saṅgh:

    • Also Śvetāmbara Sthānakvāsī, non‑idol‑worshipping.
    • Same basic way of worship: sthanak/upāśray, scriptural study, pratikraman, etc.
    • Formally organized in 1952.
    • Acharya Atmaramji was the first Acharya of this Śramaṇ Saṅgh.
    • Later famous Acharyas include Acharya Anand Rishiji, and at present Acharya Shivmuni ji is recognized as Acharya of this Saṅgh.
    • It also has its own internal rules, management and network of upāśrayas.

    A short, related reference is here

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    3. Main similarities

    • Both are Śvetāmbara Sthānakvāsī Jains.
    • Both are an‑mūrtipūjak (non‑idolatrous).
    • Same core Jain principles: ahimsā, satya, asteya, brahmacharya, aparigraha.
    • Same main lay‑vows, same emphasis on pratikraman, samayik, svādhyāy, sādhu‑seva.

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    4. Main differences (simple view)

    1. Organizational identity

    - Sādhumārgī Saṅgh = one independent Sthānakvāsī sangh with its own structure. - Śramaṇ Saṅgh = another Sthānakvāsī sangh (Vardhman Sthānakvāsī Jain Śrāvak Saṅgh) with its own structure.

    1. Acharya‑paramparā (line of leaders)

    - Each has its own Acharya and guru‑lineage. - Names of Acharyas, their decisions, and style of guidance will differ.

    1. Practical rules and style

    - Small differences can appear in: - Exact pratikraman order and tunes - Rules about mic, travel, upāśray discipline, etc. - These are maryādā‑based (discipline‑based) differences decided by each sangh’s Acharya, not differences in basic Jain siddhānt.

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    5. Spiritually

    From the view of Jain dharma and moksha‑marg, both are walking the same path – following Bhagwan Mahavira’s teachings through different organized sanghs. The choice between Sādhumārgī Saṅgh and Śramaṇ Saṅgh is usually family, locality, and guru‑bhakti based, not a difference in fundamental Jain beliefs.

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