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Śvetāmbara Terapanthi
The Śvetāmbara (; also spelled Shwetambara, Shvetambara, Svetambara or Swetambara) is one of the two main branches of Jainism, the other being the Digambara. ''Śvetāmbara'' in Sanskrit means "white-clad", and refers to its ascetics' practice of wearing white clothes, which sets it apart from the ''Digambara'' or "sky-clad" Jains whose ascetic practitioners go nude. Śvetāmbaras do not believe that ascetics must practice nudity. The Śvetāmbara and Digambara traditions have had historical differences ranging from their dress code, their temples and iconography, attitude towards Jain nuns, their legends and the texts they consider as important. Śvetāmbara Jain communities are currently found mainly in Gujarat, Rajasthan and coastal regions of Maharashtra. According to Jeffery D. Long, a scholar of Hindu and Jain studies, about four-fifths of all Jains in India are Śvetāmbaras. History and lineage Śvetāmbaras consider themselves to be the original followers of Maha ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bhadrabāhu
Ācārya Bhadrabāhu (c. 367 – c. 298 BC) was, according to both the Śvetāmbara and ''Digambara'' sects of Jainism, the last '' Shruta Kevalin'' (all knowing by hearsay, that is indirectly) in Jainism. According to the Digambara tradition, he was the spiritual teacher of Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Maurya Empire. According to the ''Digambara'' sect of Jainism, there were five ''Shruta Kevalins'' in Jainism – Govarddhana Mahamuni, Vishnu, Nandimitra, Aparajita and Bhadrabahu. According to the Śvetāmbara tradition, he was the author of the holy Kalpa Sūtra, which describes the life of Mahavira and other Tirthankaras. It also lists down a Sthaviravali (a succession list of the names of the head of the Jain monastic order according to Śvetāmbaras, starting with Mahavira's Ganadhara (disciple) Sudharmaswami). Śvetāmbaras consider Bhadrabahusuri to be a Sthavirkalpi monk (as described in the Ācārāṅga Sūtra, the Kalpa Sūtra, and the Sthananga Sut ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Vimalsuri
Vimalsuri was a Jain monasticism, Jain monk of the Śvetāmbara, Śvetāmbara Murtipujaka sect. He is best known for his composition ''"Paumachariyam"'', the earliest known Jainism, Jain version of the Ramayana and the oldest work of literature written in Maharashtri Prakrit. Although scholars' opinion and traditional beliefs differ on his timeline, the common belief is that he lived between the 1st and the 3rd century AD. Biography Very little is known about him, given his timeline. However, his work ''"Paumachariyam"'' describes a short Pattavali mentioning him. It mentions Acharya Vijayasuri as his preceptor and initiator, while Acharya Rahu as his preceptor's (Acharya Vijayasuri) preceptor. According to the Parishishtaparvan, composed by Hemachandra, and the original text of ''"Paumachariyam"'', it is clear that Vimalsuri belonged to the ''Nailakulavamś.'' Hermann Jacobi, Dr. Hermann Jacobi finds that until 12th century AD, it was known as ''Nailakulavamś'' or ''Nāgil ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Achal Gaccha
Achal Gaccha, also known as the ''Vidhipakṣa'' or ''Anchal Gaccha'' () is one of the four existing Gacchas and one of the 84 ''gacchas'' of the Śvetāmbara Murtipujaka sect of Jainism. It was founded by Acharya Aryarakshitsuri in 1079 CE in response to the laxity that had crept into monasticism. Except for some minors differences, the rules and rituals of Achal Gaccha are similar to all the other existing ''gacchas'' of the Śvetāmbara Murtipujaka sect. Currently, Acharya Kalāprabhasāgarsuri is the ''gacchadhipati'' of Achal Gaccha who was declared as Gunodayasāgarsuri's successor after his demise in 2020. Acharya Kalāprabhasāgarsuri was formally coronated as the ''gacchadhipati'' of Achal Gaccha in 2022 in Mulund. History and origin Akin to the remaining three, Achal Gaccha traces its roots to the then ''Vada Gachha'' which was the unbroken lineage of monks, starting with one of Mahavira's 11 Ganadharas, Sudharmaswami. Initially, the name of Achal Gaccha was ' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kharatara Gaccha
Kharatara Gaccha is one of Śvetāmbara Murtipujaka Gacchas. It is also called the Vidhisangha (the Assembly) or Vidhimarga (Path of Proper Conduct), as they regard their practices as scripturally correct. History Kharatara Gaccha was founded by Vardhamana Sūri (till 1031 CE). His pupil, Jineshvara (the author of Nivvāṇalīlāvaīkahā), got honorary title 'Kharatara' (Sharp witted or Fierce) because he defeated Suracharya, leader of Chaityavasis in public debate in 1024 CE at Anahilvada Patan. So the Gaccha also got his title. Khartara also means that "which is beyond" (tara) "purity" (khara), that is, being upright with the absolute truth, by following the religious scriptures without deviation (Jain Agamas) as it is. Another tradition regards Jinadatta Suri (1075―1154) as a founder of Gaccha. Jinavallabha realised the difference between texts and words of teachers and put emphasis on sacred texts in Kharatara doctrine in the eleventh century. He wrote the ''Crown o ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tapa Gaccha
Tapa Gaccha is the largest Gaccha (monastic order) of Śvetāmbara Jainism. More than half of the existing Jain ascetics belong to the Tapa Gaccha. Several successful Sanskrit scholars belonged to Tapa Gaccha, including Hiravijaya, Meghavijaya, Yashovijaya, Vijayanandsuri among others. Panyas Bhadrankarvijaya was also a notable monk who came in contact with Acharya Ramchandra Suri before initiation as a monk in Tapa Gaccha. History Tapa Gaccha was founded by Acharya Jagatchandra Suri in Vikram Samvat 1285 (1228 AD). He was given the title of "Tapa" (i.e., the meditative one) by the ruler of Mewar. This title was applied to the whole group. Under Vijayanandsuri's leadership and other monks, the Shwetambara Murtipujak Conference was established in 1893 which reformed mendicant as well as lay religious practices. As a result of this reform, most Shwetambara Jain monks today belong to Tapa Gaccha. Today, the majority of its followers live in states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, T ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Porwal
Poravāla, correctly called Poravāḍa, is a Kshatriya community that originated in southern Rajasthan, India. They are mainly of Jain or Hindu faith. The name Poravāla was applied on the basis of the names of other Bania communities ( Osavāla, Agaravāla, Khaṇḍelavāla, etc.). The name Poravāḍa is derived from Prāgavaṭa. The caste is divided into 24 gotras. They are also divided into three sections (from highest to lowest status): Visā, Dasā and Pañcā Poravāḍas. According to tradition the Visā and Dasā divisions arose in the 13th century. The brothers Vastupāla and Tejapāla were the sons of Poravāḍa father and Śrīmāli mother. The Poravādas who chose to eat with the brothers became Dasā, and those who refused became Visā. The Visā and Dasā interdine but do not intermarry. The Visās tend to be Jain while Dasā's tend to be Vaishnav. Formerly interreligious marriages occurred between Jains and Vaishnavs of the same sub-caste. They originate ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Swayamprabhasuri
Swayamprabhasuri or Svayamprabhasuri was a Śvetāmbara Jain ascetic and the 5th successor in the lineage of the monastic heads of the ''Chaturvidha Sangha's'' () Upkeśa Gaccha. He succeeded Keśiśramanācharya and is believed to have existed in 6th–5th century BC. He is known for establishing the '' Śrīmali'' and '' Porvāl'' clans. Birth and initiation Although not much is known about him, some non-canonical scriptures such as Ratnaprabhasuri's ''"Upkeśa Gaccha Caritra"'' () describe his ascetic life in detail and life before initiation into the ''Jain Sangha'' succinctly. As per scriptures of the Śvetāmbara sect, he is believed to have been born in the 6th century BC in a family belonging to the ''Vidyādhara'' clan. He is believed to have been initiated by Keśiśramanācharya, the 4th ''pattadhār'' () in the 23rd tirthankara Parshvanatha's lineage. Therefore, unlike most Jain ascetics today who trace their lineage to the 24th Tirthankara Mahavira, Swayam ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Oswal
The Oswal (sometimes spelled Oshwal or Osval) are a Śvētāmbara, Śvetāmbara Jain merchant community with origins in Osian, Jodhpur, Osian, a town in the Marwar region of Rajasthan, India. According to research by James Tod, Colonel James Tod, Osavālas are purely of Rajput origins and they belong to not one, but several different Rajput tribes. The Osavālas origin legend has multiple aspects, all of which include a fierce, meat-eating goddess who becomes pacified by a Jain ascetic, involving the conversion of a king to Jainism. In modern times, there are barely any Osavālas living in Osiyān, but they still regard the Mahavira Jain temple, Osian, Mahavira temple and Sachiya Mata Temple as their "mother temples". They reside in Rajasthan, Malwa, Gujarat, and Kutch district, Kutch. They were formerly also found in the Tharparkar district of Sindh (Partition of India, pre-partition). Creation of the ''Oswāl clan'' Ratnaprabhasuri's penance near Upkeśapattan According to ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ratnaprabhasuri
Ratnaprabhasuri was a Śvetāmbara Jain ascetic and the 6th successor in the lineage of the monastic heads of the ''Chaturvidha Sangha's'' () Upkeśa Gaccha. He succeeded Swayamprabhasuri and is believed to have existed in 6th–5th century BC. He is most well-known as the founder of the Oswal, ''Oswāl'' clan of Śvetāmbara, Śvetāmbara Jains. Birth and initiation As per scriptures of the Śvetāmbara sect, he is believed to have been born in the 5th century BC in a royal family belonging to the Vidyadhara, ''Vidyādhara'' clan as ''Prince Ratnachuda''. Later on, he became a Vidyadhara, ''Vidyādhara'' king. As a member of the Vidyadhara, ''Vidyādhara'' clan, he is said to have possessed several ''vidyās'' (magical powers). Śvetāmbara scriptures have vivid descriptions of Vidyadhara, ''Vidyādhara'' kingdoms and legends about the magical powers possessed by the members of this clan. According to legends, Swayamprabhasuri was once preaching lay followers about renouncin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kesi (Ganadhara)
Kesi was the leader of the order of monks of the twenty third Jain Tirthankara, Parshvanatha, who is said to have met the 'Gandhara' (Chief disciple) of the twenty fourth Jain Tirthankara, Mahavira, Indrabhuti Gautama, Gautama. He was the disciple of Arya Samudradatta. His monastic lineage later came to be known as the Upkeśa Gaccha. Monastic lineage The time period between Parshvanatha and Mahavira was only 250 years, which is relatively short when compared to the periods between any two consecutive Tirthankara, tirthankaras. According to ancient Śvetāmbara texts such as Uttaradhyayana, Uttaradhyayana Sutra, owing to this short period of time between both the Tirthankara, tirthankaras, monks of Parshvanatha's lineage existed during Mahavira's time period. Keśiśramanācharya was a monk of Parshvanatha's lineage, who is said to have met Gautama Swami, the prime disciple of Mahavira. Parshvanatha's monastic lineage is said to have begun with his prime disciple Arya Śubhada ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
