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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Digambara (Sanskrit: ) "sky-clad" is one of the two mainsects of Jainism. "Sky-clad" has many different meaning and

associations throughout Indian religions. Many representations of

deities within these traditions are depicted as sky-clad, e.g.

Samantabhadra/Samantabhadrin Yab-Yum. Certain traditions andlineages also practice Digambara as a lifelong vow as evidenced by

numerous sadhus throughout India.

1 Distinctives of Digambar

2 Digambara Jain communities in India

3 Digambara monasticism4 Sub-sects of Digambara

5 See also

6 References

7 External links

Digambara is one of the two main sects of Jainism, the other being

Svetambara.

Until the leadership of Acharya Bhadrabahu, there was no

significant division. After that some divisions gradually arose.

Generally, Digambara monks wear no clothes whereas Svetambara

"white-clad" monks usually wear white clothes.

Although senior Digambara monks wear no clothes, following the

practice of Mahavira, they do not consider themselves to be nude.

Rather, they are wearing the environment, that is the

quintessential, akasha or space. Digambaras believe that thispractice represents a refusal to give in to the demands of the body

for comfort and private property. Only Digambara ascetics are

required to forsake clothing and not the laity. Digambara ascetics

have only two possessions: a peacock feather broom and a water

gourd. Conversely, Svetambara monks usually wear white maintaining that nudism is no longer practicable.

While there are some differences in some practices, the main principles of each sect such as Mahavratas,

Anuvratas and so forth are the same.

The native Jain communities of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bundelkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Southern

Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu are all Digambaras, as are the Saravagis and the Agrawals of North

India. In Gujarat, the majority of Jains follow the Svetambara tradition, although some Jain communities of

ambara - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia file:///C:/Users/akmoe/Documents/JAINISM/Digambara.htm

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Gommateshvara Bahubali

at Shravanabelagola

978-993 AD.

these regions, like the Humad, narsinghpura,visa mevada,raikwad are also

Digambaras.

Chatutath, Pancham, Bogar, Kasar, Patni, Sethi, Tongia, Rara/Raoka, Kasliwal,

Godha, Badjatiya and Patwa are sub-castes belonging to the aforementioned

Khandelwai or Sarawagi sub-community. They are mainly from Rajasthan. Their

ancestors have been engaged in business and have attained great welath. Many

Jain temples and havelis made in the Jaisalmer, Udaipur and Jodhpur regions

were built by them.

Other Digambara communities include Padmavati Porwal, Saitwal, Lad,

Bagherwal, Aggarwal and Visa Mewada.

The Parwars come mainly from Bundelkhand. They are one of the most learned

amongst Jains and most Pandits and scholars of tirthakshetras are Parwars.

The prominent Acharyas of the Digambar tradition were:

Acharya Kundakunda, author of Samayasar and other works

Archaya Virasena, author of Dhavala

Acharya Aryanandi, a monk

Circa the 10th century, Digambar tradition was divided into two main orders.

Mula Sangh, which includes Sena gana, Deshiya gana and Balatkara gana traditions

Kashtha Sangh, which includes the Mathura gana and Lat-vagad gana traditions

Acharya Shantisagar, the first Acharya of the 20th century, belonged to the tradition of Sena gana.

Practically all the Digambara monks today belong to his tradition, either directly or indirectly. The

Bhattarakas of Shravanabelagola and Mudbidri belong to Deshiya gana and Bhattara of Humbaj belongs to

Balatkara gana. Among the prominent Digambara Acharyas today are Acharya Vidyasagar, Acharya

Vardhman sagar, Acharya Vidyanand, Acharya Pushpadant and Acharya Devanandji and Acharya

Abhinandan Sagar Ji. Acharya Abhinandan Sagar Ji & Acharya vardhman sagar ji are the current

pattacharyas of Acharya Shantisagar Ji.

Those following the Terapanth reforms are called Terapanth. Others who follow more traditional practices

are called Bisapanthi. In practice, the division between the sub-sects is unimportant, and separate institutions

do not exist.

Among the Digambaras, the Taran Panthi follow Taran Swami and Kanji Panthi follow Kanji Swami.

Tamil Jains

BhattarakasMula Sangh and Kashtha Sangh

Digambar Jain Mahasabha


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Mary Pat Fisher (2003).Living Religions (5th Edition)

Gallery of images of Digambaras (http://www.jainworld.org/jworg03/ioj/Digambar_Monks_and_Nuns/Digambar.htm)

Jain ascetics photos (http://www.jainheritagecentres.com/photogallery/asceticsph01.htm)

Overview of World Religions: Digambara (http://philtar.ucsm.ac.uk/encyclopedia/jainism/digam.html)

Digambar Jain Tirth Across India (http://www.jainreligion.in/)

Digambar Jain Maha Samiti (http://www.djms.in/) Jain Matrimony site (http://www.millni.com/)

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Digambara&oldid=498822798"

Categories: Jain sects Jain monasticism

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