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 the last of them being "Āchārya" Bhadrabahu. Spiritual lineage of heads of monastic orders is known as "Pattavali". Digambara tradition consider Dharasena to be the 33rd teacher in succession of Gautama, 683 years after the "nirvana" of Mahavira. The word "Digambara" is a combination of two Sanskrit words: "dik" (दिक्) (directions) and "ambara" (अम्बर) (clothes), referring to those whose garments are of the element that fills the four quarters of space. "Digambara" monks do not wear any clothes as it is considered to be "parigraha" (possession), which ultimately leads to attachment. A "Digambara" monk has 28 "mūla guņas" (primary attributes).