The Svetambara (also spelt Svetambar, Shvetambara, Shvetabmbar or Swetambar) is one of the two main sects of Jainism, the other being Digambar. Svetambar literally means "white-clad", describing the practice of wearing white clothes, which sets it apart from Digambar ("space clad"), whose practitioners wear no clothes.

Svetambaras, unlike Digambaras, neither believe that ascetics must practice nudity, nor do they believe that women are unable to obtain moksha. Svetambaras believe that the 19^th Tirthankara was a woman. There are ~5900 Svetambara nuns. (Fisher).

The Svetambara tradition follows the lineage of Acharya Sthulabhadra. Kalpasutra mentions some of the lineages in ancient times. From the Kottiya Gana,which was once prominent. The Svetambara monastic orders are braches of Vrahada-gachchha founded in 937. The prominent among the classical orders today are Kharatara-gachchha (1024), Tapa-gachchha (1228) and Tristutika Gachchha.

A major reform was intiated by Lonka Shaha who started a movement opposed to idol worship in 1476. Branches of this movement are Sthanakavasi and Terapanthi Shvetambara (1780 AD) orders. Acharya Buddhivijayaji, formerly belonging to Sthanakavasi order, as the leader of the Tapa Gachchha, lead a movement to restore orders of wandering monks, leading to near extinction of the Yati institutions.

Some Svetambara monks and nuns cover their mouth with a white cloth (muhpatti) to practise ahimsa even when they talk. By doing so they minimize the possibility of inhaling small organisms.

Svetamabara Sub-Sects

Svetambara is divided into two sub-sects, those practitioners who worship images in temples, known as the Murtipujak ("image-worshiping") or Mandirmargi ("temple-going"), and those who do not, the reformist sub-sects of the Sthanakvasis and the Terapanthis.

• Murtipujak, lead by varius Acharyas.
• Mandirmargi:
  • Sthanakwasi, currently lead by Acharya Shivmuniji.
  • Terapanthi, currently lead by Acharya Mahaprajna.

References

• Fisher -- Living Religions (5th Edition) (2003), p.130

External links

Jain sects

Shvetambaras | Shvetambar | Śwetambarowie