Section in Jain Order : Swetambar Murtipujak (Part 2/4)

The Swetambar Sect

Like the Digambar sect, the Swetambar sect has also been split into three main sub-sects:

• Murtipujak
• Sthanakwasi
• Terapanthi

Swetambar sect 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 Sthanakwasis and the Terapanthis.

Murtipujak : The original stock of the Swetambars is known as Murtipujak Swetambars since they are the thorough worshippers of idols. They offer flowers, fruits, saffron, etc. to their idols and invariably adorn them with rich clothes and jeweled ornaments.

Their ascetics cover their mouth with strips of cloth while speaking, otherwise they keep them in their hands. They stay in temples or in the specially reserved buildings known as upasrayas. They collect food in their bowls from the sravakas(Layman) or householders' houses and eat at their place of stay - Upasrayas.

The Murtipujaka sub-sect is also known by terms like 

(i) Pujera (worshippers), 

(ii) Deravasi (temple residents). 

(iii) Chaityavasi (temple residents) and 

(iv) Mandir-margi (temple goers)

Murtipujak, headed by various Acharyas as their sect and sub-sects.

In the Murtipujak sect there are 4 main sub-sects as follows:

• Tapa gachchh: In Tapa Gachchh there are 21 sub-sects headed by different Acharya

1. Shri Vijay Prem-Ramchandra Suri (total monks and nuns 1412)
2. Shri Vijay Prem-Bhuvan Bhanu suri (total monks and nuns 880)
3. Shri Anandsagar suri (Sagarji) (total monks and nuns 1032)
4. Shri Vijay Nemi suri (Shasan Samrat) (total monks and nuns 607)
5. Shri Vijay Kanak suri (vagad)(total monks and nuns 560)
6. Shri Vijay Niti Suri total (monks and nuns 452)
7. Shri Vijay Siddhi suri (Bapji M)(total monks and nuns 415)
8. Shri VIjay Dharma Vijayji-Abhaydev suri (Dahela vala) (total monks and nuns 325)
9. Shri Vijay Bhakti Suri total (monks and nuns 272)
10. Shri Vijay Labdhi Suri total (monks and nuns 256)
11. Shri Vijay Vallabh Suri-1(Acharya Ratnakar Suri) (total monks and nuns 181)
12. Shri Vijay Vallabh Suri-2(Acharya Nityanand Suri) (total monks and nuns 108)
13. Shri Vijay Keshar Suri (total monks and nuns 228)
14. Shri Vijay Dharma Suri-Kanakratna Suri (total monks and nuns 237)
15. Shri Vijay Himachal Suri (total monks and nuns 60)
16. Shri Buddhi Sagar Suri (total monks and nuns 135)
17. Shri Vijay Shantichandra Suri Ist (total monks and nuns 220)
18. Shri Vijay Shantichandta Suri 2nd (total monks and nuns 197)
19. Shri Mohanlalaji (total monks and nuns 42)
20. Shri Vijay Amrat Suri (total monks and nuns 35)
21. Shri Vimal Gachchh (total monks and nuns 45)
22. Shri Tristutika Gachchh 1st(Acharya Shri Jayantsain suri) (total monks and nuns 146)
23. Shri Tristutika Gachchh 2nd (Acharya shri Hemendra suri) (total monks and nuns 89)
24. Shri Tristutika Gachchh 3rd (Acharya Shri Labdhichandra Suri) (total monks and nuns NIL)
25. Shri Tristutika Gachchh 4th(Muni Jayanandvijay) (total monks and nuns 8)

• Achal gachchh currently led by Acharya Sri Gunoyadayasagar suri Ji.

• Khartar gachchh, currently led by Acharya Sri JinKailash sagar suri Ji.

• Parshwachandra gachchh, currently led by Mahopadhyaya Sri BhuvanChandra Ji.

The Murtipujak Swetambaras are found scattered all over India for business purposes in large urban centers, still they are concentrated mostly in Gujarat.

~~~*~~~

Source : Internet

Coming Together To Forgive And Heal

Coming Together To Forgive And Heal

Dhanpal Jain

Paryushan is the most important annual Jain observance. For both Shvetambars, who observe the festival over a period of eight days, and Digambars, for whom Paryushan Parva lasts 10 days, this is a time of intensive study, reflection and purification.

It takes place in the middle of the rainy season, a time when Jain monks and nuns cease travelling and stay with a community and are available to them for instruction and guidance.

Paryushan means "abiding" or "coming together". It is also a time when the laity takes on vows of study and fasting with a spiritual intensity similar to (temporary) monasticism. Paryushan concludes with confession and forgiveness for the transgressions of the previous year. The most important part of Paryushan is daily meditation and prayer, which provides an opportunity for looking within and towards the teachings of the Tirthankaras for guidance. Beginning on the fourth day of Paryushan, it is customary for Murtipujak Shvetambars to read from the Kalpa Sutra, a scripture which recounts the life of Mahavira the 14 dreams of his mother before his birth, followed by the story of his birth, life and liberation. It also recounts the lives of other Tirthankaras and the rules of Paryushan. Among Mahavira's teachings are those that advocate gender equity, of the importance of ensuring equal status to both women and men. The book of scripture would be carried ceremonially through the streets, water sprinkled in its path along the way, purifying the entire town.

Jains often take time off from work during this period and eat a much simpler diet than their usual vegetarian diet. Jains avoid eating root vegetables like potatoes, onions and garlic as harvesting them for food would entail destroying the entire plant. For Shvetambars, the final day of Paryushan is Samvastsari Pratikraman, the annual confession. The ritual of asking forgiveness from the teacher is widened in scope to include family and friends and, finally, all living beings. The culmination of confession is receiving forgiveness from all living beings and also granting forgiveness to all. This ritual of forgiveness is sometimes called the rite of "universal friendship".

The spirit of the day is contained in this verse: "I grant forgiveness to all living beings, May all living beings grant me forgiveness; My friendship is with all living beings, My enmity is totally non-existent. Let there be peace, harmony and prosperity for all." One cannot consume any fruits or even a grain during the fasting period or upvaas.

Wouldn't it be difficult to remain without eating any food? a lady, who has fasted for 31 days at a stretch, says: "We live in a sea of energy. Our bodies gain energy indirectly from the food we eat, while we gain direct energy from the cosmic energy that flows into us through the medulla oblongata at the bottom of the brain. But this kind of acceptance of energy depends upon our mental set-up. The greater the will, the greater would be the flow of energy." Penance is given high importance to purify one's soul. In the time cycle, Lord Rishabh started the penance for one year at a stretch. The same tradition is followed even today. During the process of penance, all the accumulated toxins in the cells of the body over a period of time start to melt away. Since the body's energies are concentrated in cleaning and detoxification during the fasting process, rest becomes a necessary adjunct. The body parts are recharged and relaxed. This minimises physical ailments, increases strength and keeps body, mind and the hormonal balance in tact.

The writer is a law student at the University of Mumbai.

Extract from Tuesday, 25-08-2009, The Times Of India