“Words may be few, but their meanings are infinite – that is the nature of this universe.”
Though the visual content may last only 15 minutes, the wisdom and joy it offers are infinite and unbroken – such is the essence of “Gagar Ma Sagar” (An Ocean in a Pot).
In today’s episode, we’ll address an important subject in Jainism – “Sects within Jainism”. Over the course of previous episodes, many misconceptions have been cleared up, and knowledge has been gained. Today, we will clear up the misconceptions around sects and gain deeper insight.
🧠 What Is a Sect?
Let’s begin with the basic question: What is a sect (Sanpraday)?
A sect is a school of thought, a lineage of ideas. When a person or a group reflects deeply on questions like:
- Where did the universe come from?
- How did it begin?
- Will it end and then re-emerge?
- What is the size and nature of this world?
- Are there heavens and hells?
- What is science, and how does it perceive the subtle elements like water, atoms, or consciousness?
The exploration of these questions through deep philosophical inquiry forms a stream of thought, which eventually becomes a sect. These schools of thought produce scriptures and are passed on to future generations.
Just as many religious traditions are sects, Jainism itself is also a sect. But even within Jainism, there are multiple internal sects, due to differences in interpreting and practicing its core principles.
🕊️ Two Major Jain Sects
1. Digambar (Sky-clad)
- “Dig” means direction, “Ambar” means clothing – Digambar literally means clothed by the directions, i.e., without any clothes.
- Their belief is that liberation (moksha) is only possible if one renounces all clothing, just as Lord Mahavir wandered unclothed.
- They do not believe women can attain liberation, hence they reject Mallinath Bhagwan (a female Tirthankar) as female – they consider her male.
- Their monks (sadhus) strictly follow vows:
- Eat only once a day, standing in one place, using a hand-held bowl (karpatra),
- Only drink filtered water from wells,
- Their main scriptures were written by Acharya Kundkund.
- Even within Digambar, there are sub-groups: some believe in idols and temples, while others do not.
- For those who do worship idols, they believe Tirthankars are always in meditation, so their statues have half-opened eyes and never show expressions.
2. Shwetambar (White-clad)
- Monks wear white robes and live amidst society.
- They believe Mahavir Bhagwan described two orders of monks:
- One who lives in forests (Jungle monks or Jinakalpi), and
- One who lives among people (Sthavirkalpi).
- Shwetambar monks own very few things and take only minimal essentials from householders.
- They accept the Agamas passed down from Sudharma Swami and believe men, women, and genderless beings can all attain liberation.
- They use mouth-coverings, water filters, scriptures, etc.
- Even among them, some believe in idol worship and some don’t:
- Those who do celebrate rituals like Anjanshalaka, where idols have open eyes.
🔸 Sub-sects within Shwetambar:
- Sthanakvasi – Details coming in the next episode.
- Terapanthi –
- Follow a single Acharya (head monk) at a time.
- Preach non-interference in nature (e.g., don’t interfere if a cat is chasing a rat—it’s nature’s course).
- Strong emphasis on non-violence and renunciation.
🔸 Emergence of Mixed Sects (Mishrapanthi)
- These new sects have emerged recently, not mentioned in original Jain history.
- They claim that today’s monks are false (mithyatvi), so they reject them and make householders their own gurus.
- These self-styled gurus create their own rules and often blend teachings from different religions. Examples:
- Dada Bhagwan followers chant Navkar Mantra along with “Om Namo Vasudevaya” and other non-Jain mantras.
- Kanji Swami adopted Digambar scriptures but wore clothes like Shwetambars.
- Shrimad Rajchandraji followers accept both Shwetambar and Digambar scriptures and idols.
- These groups often reject monks entirely and operate through ashrams led by householders.
🧨 Sectarianism (Sanpradayvaad) – A Modern Problem
Historically, Jainism had sects, but not sectarianism. Today, however, in this spiritually declining fifth era (Pancham Aara), sectarianism has become toxic. Here’s the difference:
- Sanpraday = a belief system
- Sanpradayvaad = aggressive, divisive attitude to promote one’s sect by belittling others
In sectarianism, followers start calling monks from other sects false, abuse them, and spread confusion. This creates division and doubt, even in sincere seekers.
🧘 The Solution
- Stay committed to your current sect and do not waver.
- If someone speaks negatively about your monk or guru to lure you to another sect – do not be influenced.
- Such people not only commit sin but also drag others into sin.
- Lord Mahavir taught universal acceptance. If you’re kind to a beggar at your door, why not respect monks of other sects too?
If anyone tells you you’ll incur sin by interacting with monks from other sects, reject such blind beliefs. Jainism teaches compassion for all living beings – this core value must never be forgotten.
🧭 Final Words
Stick firmly to your sect. Learn and grow through your guru. Focus solely on gaining knowledge and developing your inner virtues.
No matter which sect you belong to – if your heart is pure, you will definitely find the path to liberation.
You do not need to leave your sect, nor defame others. Even if you feel your current sect is limited due to this era’s decline, your effort should be to purify and uplift your own path, not abandon it.
Whatever sect you belong to – stay rooted.
Learn. Grow. Move forward.
🙏 These are my heartfelt wishes and blessings.