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  • what are the types of jainism and their sub sects and what do each of the subsects worship and their beliefs
  • author Posted by
    Jain Follower

    what are the types of jainism and their sub sects and what do each of the subsects worship and their beliefs

    3 months ago 60

    In Jain Dharma, the two main sects are:

    1. Digambara
    2. Shwetambara

    From these, several sub-sects developed over time.

    1) Digambara Jainism

    Core belief: Digambaras emphasize complete renunciation, non-attachment, and the path of liberation through austerity, right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.

    Main sub-sects of Digambara

    a) Bisapanthi

    • Worship: They do idol worship in temples.
    • Beliefs / practice:
    - Follow temple rituals and ceremonial worship in a more traditional form. - Generally accept decoration of idols with flowers, ornaments, and offerings in worship.

    b) Terapanthi (Digambara Terapanthi, not the Shwetambara Terapanthi)

    • Worship: They also do idol worship, but in a simpler, stricter way.
    • Beliefs / practice:
    - Avoid many elaborate ritual practices. - Prefer cleaner, more disciplined temple worship. - Usually do not approve of excessive decorative rituals.

    c) Taranpanthi

    • Worship: They do not do idol worship in the usual temple style.
    • Beliefs / practice:
    - Follow the teachings of Taran Swami. - Give importance to spiritual knowledge, meditation, and scripture-based devotion. - Their worship is more non-idol and meditative.

    ---

    2) Shwetambara Jainism

    Core belief: Shwetambaras also follow the Jain path of liberation, but differ from Digambaras in dress, monastic discipline, and worship traditions. Monks and nuns wear white clothes.

    Main sub-sects of Shwetambara

    a) Murtipujak (Deravasi)

    • Worship: They worship idols of Tirthankaras in temples.
    • Beliefs / practice:
    - Perform temple पूजा, aarti, chaitya-vandana, and image worship. - Very temple-centered tradition. - The idol is worshipped as a symbol of the perfected soul of a Tirthankar.

    b) Sthanakavasi

    • Worship: They do not worship idols.
    • Beliefs / practice:
    - Worship and spiritual practice are done in sthanaks rather than temples. - Emphasize meditation, prayer, scriptural recitation, and non-idolatry. - Usually reject temple rituals and idol consecration.

    c) Terapanthi (Shwetambara Terapanthi)

    • Worship: They also do not worship idols.
    • Beliefs / practice:
    - Very disciplined and organized sect. - Strong emphasis on strict monastic code, self-discipline, meditation, and scripture study. - Follow one head acharya system and avoid many ritualistic forms.

    ---

    Simple summary

    Idol-worshipping sects

    • Digambara Bisapanthi
    • Digambara Terapanthi
    • Shwetambara Murtipujak

    Non-idol sects

    • Digambara Taranpanthi
    • Shwetambara Sthanakavasi
    • Shwetambara Terapanthi

    ---

    Main philosophical beliefs common to all Jain sects

    All Jain sects generally accept:
    • Ahimsa: non-violence
    • Satya: truth
    • Aparigraha: non-possessiveness
    • Karma theory
    • Liberation (moksha) through purification of the soul
    • Tirthankaras as spiritual teachers

    ---

    Very short distinction

    • Digambara: stricter renunciation, monks traditionally have no clothes.
    • Shwetambara: monks and nuns wear white clothes.
    • Murtipujak: idol worship
    • Sthanakavasi / Terapanthi: non-idol worship
    • Taranpanthi: non-idol, meditative tradition within Digambara

    If you want, I can also give this in a clean chart form with sect → subsect → worship style → key belief.

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