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.

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Source : Internet