Digambara Terapanth Digambara Terapanth Digambara Terapanth is one of the sects of Digambara Jainism, the other being the "Bispanthi" sect. It formed out of strong opposition to the religious domination of traditional religious leaders called "bhattarakas" during the 12-16th century A.D, for the bhattarakas starting deviating from the original/Mula jain customs. They oppose the worship of various minor gods and goddesses. Some Terapanthi practices, like not using flowers in worship, gradually spread throughout most of North Indian Jainism as well. The Terapanthi movement was born out of the "Adhyatma" movement that arose in 1626 AD (V.S. 1683) in Agra. Its leading proponent
Digambara texts such as the "Samayasāra" and the "Pravacanasāra". Other prominent "Acharyas" of this tradition were, Virasena (author of a commentary on the "Dhavala"), Samantabhadra and Siddhasena Divakara. The "Satkhandagama" and "Kasayapahuda" have major significance in the "Digambara" tradition. Relics found from Harrapan excavations such as seals depicting "Kayotsarga" posture, idols in "Padmasana" and a nude bust of red limestone, give insight into the antiquity of the "Digambara" tradition. The presence of gymnosophists (naked philosophers) in Greek records as early as the fourth century BC, supports the claim of the "Digambaras" that they have preserved the ancient "Śramaṇa" practice. Dundas talks