Murtipujaka

Murtipujaka, also known as Deravasi, is the term for the largest sect of Śvētāmbara Jainism. Murtipujaka Jains differ from Sthānakavāsī Śvētāmbara Jains in that their temples contain idols of the tirthankaras instead of empty rooms. They worship idols and have rituals for it.

Murtipujaka monastics and worshippers do not use the muhapatti, a piece of cloth over the mouth, during prayers, whereas it is permanently worn by Sthanakvasis and Svetambar Terapanthis. The Sthankvasis and Śvētāmbara Terapanthis do so to protect the living beings in the air around them from any injury or death due to their speech.

Gaccha

The monks of Murtipujaka sect are divided into six tradition or gaccha. These are:^[1]

• Kharatara Gaccha (1023 CE)
• Ancala Gaccha (1156 CE)
• Tristuti Gaccha (1193 CE)
• Tapa Gaccha (1228 CE)
• Vimala Gaccha (1495 CE)
• Parsvacandra Gaccha (1515 CE)

Notes

1. Flügel 2006, p. 317.

References

• Flügel, Peter (2006). "Demographic Trends In Jaina Monasticism". Studies in Jaina History and Culture: Disputes and Dialogues. Taylor & Francis. pp. 312–398. ISBN 978-0-203-00853-9.