Both are Jain Śvetāmbara groups, so their basic Jain beliefs are the same:
- 24 Tirthankar
- Soul (jīva), karma, rebirth, moksha
- Ahimsā, aparigraha, anekāntavād, 5 mahāvrat etc.
The differences are mainly in practice, discipline and outer form, not in core Jain philosophy.
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1. Gyan Gacch (ज्ञान गच्छ)
This is a Śvetāmbara Mūrti‑pūjak gacch (lineage).
Typical points:
- Worship of Tirthankar idols in temples (derāsar) with dravya‑pūjā: jal, chandan, pushpa, dīp, naivedya, etc.
- Accept Śvetāmbara Āgams and traditional commentaries.
- Strong emphasis on
śruta‑jñān (scriptural study) – that’s why name “Gyan” (knowledge).
- Stay near or connected with temples.
- Typical mūrti‑pūjak dress and muhapattī (generally tied).
- Temple-centred life: abhiṣek, pūjā, āratī, mangal‑dīvo, pratimā‑yatra, pilgrimage, etc.
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2. Shraman Sangh (Shraman Saṅgh / Jain Shraman Saṅgh)
Generally this refers to the Śvetāmbara Sthānakvāsī Jain Shraman Sangh.
Typical points:
- Non‑mūrti‑pūjak (Sthānakvāsī)
-
No idol worship, no dravya‑pūjā, no temple‑idols.
- Focus on
bhāva‑pūjā: internal devotion, meditation, pratikraman, sāmāyik, svādhyāy.
- Also accept Śvetāmbara Āgams, but stress:
- simplicity,
- non‑ritualistic approach,
- more inner austerity than outer show.
- Live in
sthānak / upāśray (simple halls), not idol‑temples.
- White clothes and muhapattī held rather than usually tied; stricter in some conduct rules (e.g., on movement, possessions, contact).
- Satsang in sthānak / upāśray, gīt, pravachan, meditation camps, pratikraman.
- Generally avoid flower‑use, idol‑decoration, and elaborate rituals.
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In short
- Common: Jain fundamentals (Tirthankar, karma, moksha, ahimsā, anekānt, etc.).
- Main difference in belief‑expression:
-
Gyan Gacch: Accepts and promotes
idol‑worship with rituals as valid form of Jain devotion.
-
Shraman Sangh: Teaches that
idol‑worship and such external rituals are not necessary, and gives priority to
inner spiritual practice without idols.
So the “difference in belief” is how to worship and practice, not about the basic Jain siddhānt itself.