Terapanth and Sthanakvasi are both sub-sects within the Svetambara (White-clad) Jain tradition. Here’s a simple comparison:

• Origin and leadership

- Sthanakvasi: Emerged in the 17th century as a reform movement named after the simple prayer halls they use (sthanaks). It is less centralized and has historically had multiple teachers/acharyas within the tradition. You can read a brief history here . - Terapanth: A later offshoot of Sthanakvasi, founded in 1760 CE by Acharya Bhikshu. It is highly organized under a single Acharya (one spiritual head) who guides the panth. More on Terapanth’s formation here .

• Approach to worship and temples

- Sthanakvasi: Do not worship idols and generally do not build temples with images; focus on meditation, study, and inner purification in sthanaks. - Terapanth: Also non-idolatrous, with an emphasis on disciplined monastic life and centralized leadership. They avoid idol worship and temple rituals as part of their path.

• Practices and organization

- Sthanakvasi: Emphasizes meditation, scriptural study, and simple monastic dress; more decentralized in practice. - Terapanth: Emphasizes strict discipline, a distinctive 13-principle framework, and a unified organizational structure under one Acharya.

• Shared core

- Both reject idol worship and temple-centered ritual in favor of inner discipline, ethical conduct, and meditation. They both belong to the Svetambara tradition and share many basic Jain beliefs.

If you’d like, I can pull up more detailed Jaindocs on these two groups or point to further articles on JainKnowledge.com.