Home > Indian History > Indian Philosophy > Jain Reform Movement
Jain Reform Movement
Jain Reform Movement began in the fifteenth century. The prominent reform movements were Sthanakvasi, Terapanth, Kanji Swami Panth, Reform Movements in Swetambara Sect and in the Digambara Sect.

Share this Article:

Reform Movement of the JainsJain Reform Movement began from the fifteenth century. Of the different divisions of Jainism, the Swetambara Sect and Digambara Sect are the most ancient whereas the Sthanakvasi, Terapanth and Kanji Swami Divisions represent movements. These movements took place in fifteenth, seventeenth and nineteenth centuries respectively.

Sthanakvasi
Sthanakvasi movement was formed by a Gujarati merchant during the fifteenth century. He did a complete study of the Holy Scriptures and came to the conclusion that the practise of Jainism around was totally corrupt. He thus accepted the authority of only thirty-two of the scriptural texts and rejected the rest. The Sthanakvasis followed the path envisaged in the earliest Holy Scriptures of staying in ruined and deserted building. They did not believe in idol worship. The monks of the Sthanakvasis and Terapanthis wear the muhpatti i.e. a piece of cloth tied to the mouth permanently. Earlier the Sthanakvasis were located chiefly in the north and the west in towns such as Ludhiana in Punjab and Limbdi in Gujarat.

Terapanth
The Terapanth denomination was founded by the eighteenth century Swetambara reformer, Acharya Bhikshu. He was born in 1726 in the desert region of Marwar in Rajasthan. Acharya Bhikshu formed the Terapanth along with thirteen other monks who pursued him in the year 1765. They followed elaborate and long fasting and observed the strictest ahimsa, i.e. tying the muhpatti all the time. The Terapantha regularly observes a notable festival known as Maryada Mahotasava that is celebrated every year on the 7th day of the bright half of the month of Magha. After the death of Acharya Bhikshu, the members of Terapanth accepted Acharya Tulsi as their leader. Acharya Tulsi`s successor Yuvacharya Mahaprajna led another Terapanthi innovation, prekshadhyana, `insight- meditation. `

Kanji Swami Panth
Kanji Swami Panth has been the most successful Jain movement of the twentieth century. Kanji Swami was the founder of the movement. He was born in 1889 into a Sthanakvasi household. The philosophies of the Panth, gave importance to the higher level of truth (nishcaya naya) over the lower one of common life (vyavahara naya). It believed that the three Jewels of right faith, knowledge and practice could only function correctly on the basis of a prior experience of the soul. It also opposed the different types of rites and merit-making practices of Jainism.

Reform Movements in Swetambara Sect
In the early decades of the twentieth century the Swetambara Sect initiated various movements. Most notable of them were the `Bala-diksha Pratibandha Andolana` i.e. the `Prevention of Initiation of Children Movement` and the `Ek Acharya Andolan`, i.e. the `One Religious Head Movement` both the movements proved to be successful in their respectful spheres.

Reform Movements in Digambara Sect
Many reform movements were also launched by the Digambara Sect. among the different movements launched by the sect, the most important were the `Das Pujadhikara Andolana` i.e., `the Dasas` Right to Worship Movement` and the `shastra-mudrana Virodhi Andolana` i.e. the Anti-Scripture Printing Movement.` The first movement received much popularity and was strongly initiated. However, the second could not receive much success and with time it faded.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in Indian Philosophy


Classical Indian Philosophy
Classical Indian Philosophy contains many analyses, rational principles and explanations. The Vedas have been considered as the first and the oldest scriptural texts of the Classical Indian Philosophy.
Ajivika Philosophy
Ajivika philosophy is different from the mainstream religion
Gunas - Hindu Philosophy
Guna in Hindu Philosophy in its philosophical sense refers to the constituent quality. The whole universe is guided by the three gunas, which are basically attitudes, qualities found in human being.
Bodhisattvas - Hindu Philosophy
Bodhisattva is a concept in Hindu philosophy and the Buddhist philosophy and refers to someone who is committed to attain Enlightenment.
Religion and Philosophy in Later Vedic Period
Religion and Philosophy in later Vedic period did see minute growth. However, rituals and traditions were religiously followed.
Theory of inference in Nyaya philosophy
Nyaya theory of inference is divided into five steps.
Theory for God in Nyaya philosophy
The Naiyayikas tried to establish the existence of God through logic.
Religious Influence on Indian Philosophy
Religious influence on Indian philosophy has been almost enigmatic, making it complimentary in perspective.
Morality and Ethics in Jain philosophy
Jains follow a fivefold path of morality and ethical purity, by which one can reach moksha.
Indian Philosophy In The Vedic Period
Indian Philosophy in the Vedic Period was primarily based on the concepts of nature worship.
Metaphysics in Jain philosophy
Metaphysics in Jain philosophy revolves heavily around the soul and its governing path and final emancipation.
Nether World in Jain Philosophy
Nether World according to Jain Cosmology consists of seven subterranean regions. Of the seven regions the above two regions serve as the abode of heavenly gods and in the rest torture of the souls is undertaken for any kind of misdeed.
Achintya Bheda Abheda Philosophy
Achintya-Bheda-Abheda is a School of Vedanta that represents the philosophy of unimaginable one-ness and difference in relation to the power creation and creator.