Digambar
From Freepedia
Digambar, also spelt Digambara is one of the two main sects of Jainism, the other being Svetambar.
The modern Jainism is generally divided into two traditions, Digambar and Svetambar. Generally Digambar monks wear no clothes (dik ambar = space clad), Swetambar (swet ambar = white clad) monks usually wear white clothes.
Until the leadership of Acharya Bhadrabahu, there was no division. After that some divisions gradually arose. Senior Digambar monks wear no clothes, following the practice of Lord Mahavira. Swetambara monks usually wear white clothes, maintaining that nudity is no longer practicable. While there are some differences in some practices, the main principles like Mahavratas, Anuvratas etc. are the same.
The native Jain communities of Maharashta, Bundelkhand (MP/UP), Karnataka, Tamil Nadu are are all Digambaras. In north India, the Saravagis and the Agrawals are also Digambaras. In Gujarat and Southern Rajasthan, the majority of Jains follow the Svetambara tradition.
The prominent Acharyas of the Digambar tradition were:
- Acharya Kundakunda: author of Samayasar, etc.
- Acharya Virasena: author of Dhavala
In around 10th century Digambar tradition was divided into two main orders.
- Mula Sangh: includes Sena gana, Deshiya gana, Balatkara gana etc.
- Kashtha Sangh: includes Mathur gana, Lat-vagad gana, etc.
Acharya Shantisagar, the first Acharya of the 20th century, belonged to the tradition of Sena gana. Practically all the Digambara monks today, belong to the tradition of Acharya Shantisagar directly or indirectly.
The Bhattarakas of Shravanbelgola and Mudbidri belong to Deshiya gana and Bhatttara of Humach belongs to Balatkara gana.
Among the prominent Digambara Acharyas today are Acharya Vidyasagar and Acharya Vidyanand.
Among the Digambaras, the Taran Panthi follow Taran Swami and Kanji Panthi follow Kanji Swami. Those following the Terapanth reforms are called Terapanthi and others are called Bispanthi. In practice, the Bispanth/Terapanth divison is not important, and separate institutions do not exist.
