Q. How the Sthanakavasi sect is different from other sects of Jainism?

1. The followers of Sthanakavasi faith practice idol worship
2. The followers of Sthanakavasi wear saffron cloths

Select the correct option from the codes given below:
Answer: Neither 1 nor 2
Notes: Sthanakavasi sect of Jainism believes that soul is nirakar “without form”, and hence do not pray to any statue. They wear white cloths and cover mouth with a white cloth. Except on the crucial point of idol-worship, Sthanakwasi do not differ much from other Shwetambar Jains and hence now-a-days they invariably call themselves as Shwetambar Sthanakwasi. However, there are some differences between the Sthanakwasi; and the Murtipujak Shwetambars in the observance of some religious practices. The Sthanakwasi do not believe in idol-worship at all. As such they do not have temples but only sthanakas, that is, prayer halls, where they carry on their religious fasts, festivals, practices, prayers, discourses, etc.

This question is part of UPSC Daily 20 MCQ Series Course on GKToday Android app.