Chaturvidh Sangh

Posted by on Feb 21, 2010 in General | Comments Off on Chaturvidh Sangh

PARYUSHAN PARVA

PARYUSHAN PARVA Sang

Lord Mahävir organized his followers, into a four-fold order, namely monks (Sädhus), nuns (Sädhvis), laymen (Shrävaks), and laywomen (Shrävikäs). This order is known as Jain Chaturvidha Sangh.Monks and nuns do not stay at one place for more than 30 days except during rainy season of 4 months. They travel on bare foot and do not use any transportation. Male monks do not touch any female person and vice a versa. They do not eat or drink after Sunset. A few centuries after Lord Mahävir‟s Nirvana two major traditions, Digambar and Shvetämbar, were established.

Shvetämbar Sect: Monks and Nuns wear white cloths. They beg little quantity of food from many houses and bring it to their temporary place of residence to eat. They are also divided into three major sub-sects.
  • Shvetämbar Murtipujak They believe in the worshiping of Tirthankar idols in the temple. They are also known as Mandir-Margi.
  • Sthänakaväsi – Non-Murtipujak A non-idol worshiper sect got separated from Shvetämbar Murtipujak. This sect is pioneered by a scholarly householder name Lonkäshah around 1450 AD
  • Teräpanthi A non-idol worshiper sect got separated from Sthänakaväsi sect who follows a different interpretation of Compassion and Penance. This sect was pioneered by Ächärya Bhikshu around 1600 AD.
Digambar Sect:
Digambar Monks wear no cloths at all. They eat one meal a day at the householder residence place. They receive the food in their hands and eat in a standing position. The Digambar nuns wear appropriate cloths. The Digambar Jains are also divided into three major sub-sects.
  • Bisa Panth – Idol Worshiper Sect – They believe in the worshiping of Tirthankar idols in the temple. Their temple is owned and managed by Bhattärak who perform various temple rituals. Bhattäraks are not true Digambar monk. They wear red cloths; they live at the temple and use transportation. They are celibates and eat one meal a day.
  • Teräh Panth – Idol Worshiper Sect – They also believe in the worshiping of Tirthankar idols in the temple but they do not accept Bhattärak‟s authority. The sect is pioneered by Banärasidäs. They do not use flowers or fruits in their idol worship.
  • Tärana Panth – Non-idol worshiper – They do not believe in idol worship. This sect is pioneered by Tarana Tärana Swami. There are many divisions in each of the above sub-sects.

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