Svetambara
Encyclopedia
The Śvētāmbara is one of the two main sects of Jainism
, the other being the Digambar. Śvētāmbara "white-clad" is a term describing its ascetics' practice of wearing white clothes, which sets it apart from the Digambara "sky-clad" Jainas, whose ascetic practitioners go naked. Śvētāmbaras, unlike Digambaras, do not believe that ascetics must practice nudity.
Śvētāmbaras also believe that women are able to obtain moksha
. Śvētāmbaras maintain that the 19th Tirthankara, Mallinath
, was a woman. At present, there are 2510 monks and 10,228 nuns in Śvētāmbara sects while there are 548 Digambara monks and 527 Digambara nuns.
The Śvētāmbara tradition follows the lineage of Acharya
Sthulibhadra Suri. The Kalpa Sūtra mentions some of the lineages in ancient times. The Śvētāmbara monastic orders are branches of the Vrahada Order, which was founded in 937 AD. The most prominent among the classical orders today are the Kharatara (founded 1024 AD), the Tapa (founded 1228 AD) and the Tristutik
.
A major dispute was initiated by Lonka Shaha, who started a movement opposed to idol worship in 1476. The Sthanakvasi
and Terapanthi orders are branches of this movement.
Major reforms by Vijayananda Suri of the Tapa Order in 1880 led a movement to restore orders of wandering monks, which brought about the near-extinction of the Yati institutions. Acharya Rajendrasuri
restored the shramana
sanstha in the Tristutik
Order.
Some Śvētāmbara monks and nuns cover their mouth with a white cloth or muhapatti
to practise ahimsa
even when they talk. By doing so they minimize the possibility of inhaling small organisms.
Jainism
Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state...
, the other being the Digambar. Śvētāmbara "white-clad" is a term describing its ascetics' practice of wearing white clothes, which sets it apart from the Digambara "sky-clad" Jainas, whose ascetic practitioners go naked. Śvētāmbaras, unlike Digambaras, do not believe that ascetics must practice nudity.
Śvētāmbaras also believe that women are able to obtain moksha
Moksha
Within Indian religions, moksha or mukti , literally "release" , is the liberation from samsara and the concomitant suffering involved in being subject to the cycle of repeated death and reincarnation or rebirth.-Origins:It is highly probable that the concept of moksha was first developed in...
. Śvētāmbaras maintain that the 19th Tirthankara, Mallinath
Mallinath
Mallinath was the nineteenth Tīrthaṅkara "Ford-Maker" of the present avasarpiṇī age in Jainism. According to Jain beliefs, Mallinath became a siddha - a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma. Śvētāmbara Jaina beliefs hold that Mallinath was female, making her the only woman to become...
, was a woman. At present, there are 2510 monks and 10,228 nuns in Śvētāmbara sects while there are 548 Digambara monks and 527 Digambara nuns.
The Śvētāmbara tradition follows the lineage of Acharya
Acharya
In Indian religions and society, an acharya is a guide or instructor in religious matters; founder, or leader of a sect; or a highly learned man or a title affixed to the names of learned men...
Sthulibhadra Suri. The Kalpa Sūtra mentions some of the lineages in ancient times. The Śvētāmbara monastic orders are branches of the Vrahada Order, which was founded in 937 AD. The most prominent among the classical orders today are the Kharatara (founded 1024 AD), the Tapa (founded 1228 AD) and the Tristutik
Tristutik
Tristutik was an origin of Tapa Gaccha of the Svetambara sect of Jainism.It was established in 1194 AD It was known as Agama Gaccha in ancient times.The Tristutik Gaccha was reformed by Acharya Rajendrasuri....
.
A major dispute was initiated by Lonka Shaha, who started a movement opposed to idol worship in 1476. The Sthanakvasi
Sthanakvasi
Sthānakavāsī is a sect of Jainism founded by a merchant named Lavaji about 1653 CE that believes that God is nirakar "without form", and hence do not pray to any statue...
and Terapanthi orders are branches of this movement.
Major reforms by Vijayananda Suri of the Tapa Order in 1880 led a movement to restore orders of wandering monks, which brought about the near-extinction of the Yati institutions. Acharya Rajendrasuri
Acharya Rajendrasuri
Acharya Rajendrasuri was the major Svetambara Jain reformer of the 18th and 19th centuries. He was born on 3 December 1826 at Bharatpur, Rajasthan. In 1880, as the leader of the Tapa Gaccha, he led a movement to restore the orders of wandering monks, leading to near extinction of the Yati...
restored the shramana
Shramana
A shramana is a wandering monk in certain ascetic traditions of ancient India including Jainism, Buddhism, and Ājīvikism. Famous śramaṇas include Mahavira and Gautama Buddha....
sanstha in the Tristutik
Tristutik
Tristutik was an origin of Tapa Gaccha of the Svetambara sect of Jainism.It was established in 1194 AD It was known as Agama Gaccha in ancient times.The Tristutik Gaccha was reformed by Acharya Rajendrasuri....
Order.
Some Śvētāmbara monks and nuns cover their mouth with a white cloth or muhapatti
Muhapatti
The muhapatti is a square of white cloth worn across the face and tied behind the ears or held. The purpose is to prevent saliva from coming into contact with sacred books, images or other items. It is often purported to be worn to reduce the chance of inhaling small insects and other airborne...
to practise ahimsa
Ahimsa
Ahimsa is a term meaning to do no harm . The word is derived from the Sanskrit root hims – to strike; himsa is injury or harm, a-himsa is the opposite of this, i.e. non harming or nonviolence. It is an important tenet of the Indian religions...
even when they talk. By doing so they minimize the possibility of inhaling small organisms.