Answer

In Jain Dharma, the “4 panths” usually refers to the main Jain traditions or sects that developed over time due to differences in practice, dress, temple worship, and monastic discipline.

The commonly mentioned four are:

• Digambar
• Shwetambar Murtipujak
• Sthanakvasi
• Terapanthi

No Tirthankar “created” these panths. Jain Dharma itself was taught by the Tirthankars. The panths developed later among followers because of historical, geographical, and practical differences.

Explanation

The original Jain path is the path of:

• Samyak Darshan — right faith
• Samyak Jnan — right knowledge
• Samyak Charitra — right conduct
• Ahimsa, Aparigraha, Tapasya, and Moksha-marg

Over centuries, Jain communities lived in different regions and followed different monastic lineages. Because of this, some differences arose, such as:

• whether monks wear clothes or not
• whether idol worship is practiced or not
• differences in temple rituals
• differences in scriptures accepted by each tradition
• differences in rules of sadhu-sadhvi conduct

These differences gradually became organized traditions.

Who made these panths?

• Digambar and Shwetambar: These are very ancient divisions. They were not “made” by one single person. They developed gradually due to differences in monastic practice and scriptural tradition.
• Shwetambar Murtipujak: This is the idol-worshipping tradition within Shwetambar Jainism. It developed as the main temple-based Shwetambar tradition.
• Sthanakvasi: This tradition arose within Shwetambar Jainism and does not practice idol worship. It emphasizes meditation, samayik, pratikraman, and inner purity.
• Terapanthi: There are two uses of this name:
  • Shwetambar Terapanth, founded by Acharya Bhikshu in the 18th century.
  • Digambar Terapanth, a reform movement within Digambar Jainism, associated with opposition to certain temple rituals and Bhattaraka authority.

Spiritual Understanding

From a Jain spiritual point of view, the deeper purpose is not division, but purification of the soul.

Different panths may differ in outer practices, but the central Jain principles remain:

• Ahimsa — non-violence
• Satya — truthfulness
• Achaurya — non-stealing
• Brahmacharya — purity/self-restraint
• Aparigraha — non-possessiveness
• Karma nirjara — shedding of karmas
• Moksha — liberation

Takeaway

The panths were not created by Bhagwan Mahavir or any Tirthankar. They developed later because of differences in interpretation and practice. But all authentic Jain traditions aim toward the same ultimate goal: liberation of the soul through right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.