Jainism: Sects, Sub-sects, and Sacred Symbols

Like most major religions, Jainism too evolved over centuries, leading to the formation of distinct sects. Although the core teachings remained constant — Ahimsa, Aparigraha, Samyak Darshana, and Kevala Jnana — differences emerged over rituals, monastic codes, the role of women, and idol worship.

⚖️ The Two Major Sects: Digambara and Svetambara

Let us begin with the two principal divisions in Jainism:

1. Digambara – Sky-clad (followers of nudity)
2. Svetambara – White-clad (followers of white robes)

These terms reflect the external appearance of monks but are deeply tied to ideological and doctrinal differences.

📜 Origins of the Split: Two Traditional Accounts

🧵 Clothing Debate – A Doctrinal Difference

• Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara, allowed ascetics to wear upper and lower garments.
• Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, insisted on total renunciation — including clothes.
• Over time, this resulted in two interpretations:
  • Digambaras: Renounce clothing completely
  • Svetambaras: Permit simple white garments

🧘 This symbolizes their approach to renunciation — absolute in Digambara tradition, pragmatic in Svetambara.

🏜️ Post-Famine Schism – A Historical-Political Interpretation

• Around 200 years after Mahavira’s death, a 12-year famine struck Magadha.
• Bhadrabahu, a Jain leader, migrated to South India with followers.
• Sthalabahu stayed back in Magadha with a different group.

When the southern group returned after the famine, they accused the Magadhan monks of having relaxed the monastic discipline.

🔻 Consequences:

• Southern group boycotted the Council at Pataliputra convened to compile Jain teachings.
• Over time, the two groups institutionalised their differences:
  • Digambaras (southern group)
  • Svetambaras (northern group)

⚠️ However, note that this “famine theory” appears in later Jain texts and is considered historically doubtful.

🧘 Digambara vs. Svetambara: Key Differences at a Glance

Feature	Digambara	Svetambara
Clothing	Monks practice complete nudity	Monks and nuns wear plain white robes
Founder Association	Bhadrabahu	Sthulabhadra
Tirthankaras	Women cannot become Tirthankaras	Women can become Tirthankaras
Doctrinal Emphasis	All five Mahavratas (including Brahmacharya) are mandatory	Follows four restraints of Parshvanatha; Brahmacharya later added
Monastic Rules	Extremely rigid	Comparatively flexible
Nuns	Do not exist in the traditional sense	Organised community of nuns exists
Scripture Preservation	Believes original scriptures were lost	Preserved scriptures (Agamas) accepted

🧱 Sub-Sects of Digambara Jainism

Over time, the Digambara school branched into several sub-sects, reflecting variations in rituals, leadership, and idol-worship.

Major Sub-Sects:

1. Bisapantha

• Oldest form of Digambara Jainism.
• Worship includes:
  • Tirthankaras
  • Guardian deities like Ksetrapala, Padmavati
  • Practices idol worship.
• Accept Bhattarakas (monastic leaders with institutional authority).

2. Terapantha (Digambara)

• Emerged as a reformist reaction against Bhattaraka authority.
• Rejects worship of secondary deities.
• Worship is limited only to Tirthankaras.

3. Taranapantha (Samaiyapantha)

• Founded by Tarana Swami.
• Completely rejects idol worship.
• Focuses on spiritual texts (Samayasara) rather than images.
• Emphasizes:
  1. Simplicity
  2. Absence of external rituals
  3. Rejection of caste distinctions

Minor Sub-Sects:

• Gumanapantha and Totapantha are lesser-known Digambara branches with narrower regional followings.

🕊️ Sub-Sects of Svetambara Jainism

The Svetambaras too developed three important sub-divisions, mostly based on their views on idol worship and ascetic discipline.

1. Murtipujaka (Deravasi)

• Literally: Idol Worshippers
• Considered the original Svetambaras
• Worship idols with:
  • Flowers, saffron, fruits
  • Daily rituals inside temples (chaityas, mandiras, upasrayas)
• Known as:
  • Pujera (worshippers)
  • Chaityavasi, Deravasi, Mandiramargi

2. Sthanakvasi

• Literally: Hall-Dwellers
• Emerged as a reformist movement within Svetambara tradition
• Reject idol worship and elaborate rituals
• Pray in simple halls (sthanakas) instead of temples
• Called:
  • Dhundhiya (seekers)
  • Sadhumargi (ascetic path followers)

3. Terapanthi (Svetambara)

• A sub-sect of Sthanakvasis
• Founded by Acharya Bhikshu in the 18th century
• Known for:
  • Organizational discipline
  • Centralized leadership under one Acharya
  • No temples, no images
  • Monks live in private spaces offered by householders

🔍 Terapanthis emphasize purity of thought, simplicity, and strict monastic conduct.

🧘 Final Reflections:

• The division between Digambara and Svetambara is both doctrinal and historical, not merely external.
• The sub-sects reflect internal reform movements, often based on:
  • Idolatry vs. aniconism
  • Ascetic rigor vs. practical spirituality
  • Ritualistic vs. minimalist practices
• These divisions help us understand how Jainism, though unified in philosophy, allowed diversity in practice — a core trait of most Indian religions.

🪔 Ashtamangala: The Eight Auspicious Symbols of Jainism

In Jain tradition, symbolism is not decoration — it is spiritual philosophy in form. The Ashtamangala are eight sacred symbols that are deeply revered in rituals, festivals, and temple ceremonies. They are described in texts like the Kalpasutra and are even painted or drawn before commencing any religious activity.

🔆 Let’s understand what each symbol represents:

Symbol	Depiction	Significance
Swastika	Four-armed cross with dots	Symbolizes well-being and auspiciousness. Represents the four destinies (gatis): Deva, Naraka, Manushya, Tiryancha.
Nandyavarta	A complex nine-cornered swastika	Indicates higher meditative attainment and complexity of enlightened knowledge.
Shrivatsa	Mark on the chest of a Tirthankara	Represents compassion and universal love. A symbol of the divine heart.
Vardhamanak (Deepak)	Shallow earthen lamp	Symbol of progress — in merit, fame, and prosperity.
Bhadrasana (Simhasana)	Throne or seat	Represents the sacred seat of an enlightened soul (Jina) — a symbol of liberation.
Kalasha	Pot filled with water	Embodies wisdom, fertility, and abundance.
Minyugal	Pair of fish	Symbolizes movement of divine consciousness in the cosmic ocean.
Darpana	Mirror	Reflects the true nature of the self — the idea of inner awareness and detachment.

📌 Swastika is so important that *it’s customarily drawn at the beginning of all Jain rituals. It reminds the devotee of the ultimate aim: moksha.