UPSC Prelims 2018 Q71: Art & Culture – Philosophy & Religion
- (a) Buddhism
- (b) Jainism
- (c) Vaishnavism
- (d) Shaivism
Answer: (b) Jainism
Explanation
Sthanakvasi Sect - Religious Affiliation
Sthanakvasi is a sub-sect of Jainism, specifically a sub-sect of the Svetambara tradition, founded in the 17th century by Lonka Shah and later organised by Viraji of Surat.
| Option | Correct? | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Buddhism | NO | Buddhism has schools such as Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana; Sthanakvasi is not one of them. Sthanakvasi is a Svetambara Jain sub-sect founded in the 17th century by Lonka Shah. |
| (b) Jainism | YES | Sthanakvasi is a Svetambara Jain sub-sect that rejects idol/temple worship, meditates in plain prayer halls (sthanak = 'place'). Distinctive practice: mouth-cloth (mukhavastra) to avoid inhaling minute organisms. |
| (c) Vaishnavism | NO | Vaishnavism worships Vishnu and his avatars through devotional (bhakti) traditions such as Sri Vaishnavism, Gaudiya and Pushtimarga - unrelated to the Jain Sthanakvasi movement. |
| (d) Shaivism | NO | Shaivism is the worship of Shiva through sects like Shaiva Siddhanta, Lingayatism and Kashmir Shaivism - none is called Sthanakvasi. |
Jain sect hierarchy: Digambara (sky-clad) + Svetambara (white-clad). Within Svetambara: Murtipujaka (idol-worshipping), Sthanakvasi (non-idol-worshipping, since 17th c.), and Terapanthi (breakaway from Sthanakvasi, 18th c.).
Answer: (b) Jainism.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Sthanakvasi has no connection to Buddhism - it is entirely within Jainism.
- (b) CORRECT. Sthanakvasi is a Svetambara Jain sub-sect, founded in the 17th century, rejecting idol worship.
- (c) Incorrect. Vaishnavism (worship of Vishnu/Krishna) has no Sthanakvasi sub-sect.
- (d) Incorrect. Shaivism (worship of Shiva) has no Sthanakvasi sub-sect.
Key point
Jain sects mnemonic: Digambara + Svetambara. Svetambara = Murtipujaka (idol-worshipping) + Sthanakvasi (non-idol, prayer halls) + Terapanthi (18th-c. breakaway). Sthanakvasi practice: mukhavastra (mouth cloth).
Remember
The Sthanakvasi sect belongs to Jainism, specifically to the Svetambara tradition. Founded in the 17th century by Lonka Shah, Sthanakvasis reject idol worship and instead meditate in plain prayer halls called sthanaks. Their monks wear a mouth-cloth (mukhavastra) to avoid inhaling minute organisms, reflecting the Jain doctrine of ahimsa.
Common mistakes
- Assuming Sthanakvasi is Buddhist because of the meditative connotation - the sect is entirely Jain.
- Confusing Sthanakvasi (Svetambara) with Digambara - Sthanakvasi is a Svetambara reform sect, not Digambara.
- Forgetting Lonka Shah as founder and the 17th-century origin of the sect.
Exam tip
Jain sect mapping: Digambara (sky-clad monks, southern India, Karnataka Belgaum). Svetambara (white-clad, mostly Rajasthan/Gujarat). Svetambara sub-sects: Murtipujaka, Sthanakvasi, Terapanthi. Sthanakvasi = non-idol Jain.
Sources
- NCERT Class 12 - Themes in Indian History (Chapter on Bhakti-Sufi Traditions)
- Padmanabh Jaini - The Jaina Path of Purification