>Serols at 15:00, 18 May 2021

2021-05-18T15:00:10Z

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{{short description|One of Shvetambara Murtipujaka gacchas}}
{{use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{use Indian English|date=May 2020}}
[[File:Dada Gurus of Kharatara Gaccha.jpg|thumb|Dada Gurus of Kharatara Gaccha; Jinadatta Suri (centre), Jinakushal Suri (right) and Jinachandra Suri Manidhari (left)]]
{{Jainism}}
'''Kharatara Gaccha''' is one of [[Shvetambara]] [[Murtipujaka]] [[Gaccha]]s. It is also called the '''Vidhisangha''' (the Assembly) or '''Vidhimarga''' (Path of Proper Conduct), as they regard their practices as scripturally correct.<ref name=phil>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Overview of world religions-Jainism-Kharatara Gaccha|url=http://www.philtar.ac.uk/encyclopedia/jainism/khara.html|encyclopedia=philtar.ac.uk/encyclopedia/index.html|publisher=Division of Religion and Philosophy, University of Cumbria|access-date=27 November 2012}}</ref><ref name=hvg>{{Cite book|last= Glasenapp|first=Helmuth|title=Jainism: An Indian Religion of Salvation|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ|isbn= 9788120813762|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WzEzXDk0v6sC&q=jainism&pg=PA383|access-date=27 November 2012|page=389|year=1999}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=The Making of a Medieval Jain Monk: Language, Power, and Authority In the Works of Jinaprabhasuri (ca. 1261-1333).|last=Vose|first=Steven|publisher=University of Pennsylvania|year=2013|location=Philadelphia|pages=246–254}}</ref>

==History==

Kharatara Gaccha was founded by Vardhamana Sūri<ref name=hvg/> (till 1031). His pupil, Jineshvara, got honorary title 'Kharatara' (Sharp witted or Fierce) because he defeated Suracharya, leader of Chaityavasis in public debate in 1023 at Anahilvada [[Patan district|Patan]]. So the Gaccha also got his title.<ref name=hvg/> Khartara also means that "which is beyond" (tara) "purity" (khara), that is, being upright with the absolute truth, by following the religious scriptures without deviation ([[Jain Agamas]]) as it is. Another tradition regards Jinadatta Suri (1075-1154) as a founder of Gaccha.<ref name=hvg/><ref name="University2001">{{cite book|author=John E. Cort|title=Jains in the World : Religious Values and Ideology in India: Religious Values and Ideology in India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PZk-4HOMzsoC&pg=PA42|access-date=6 August 2014|date=22 March 2001|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-803037-9|pages=42}}</ref>

In the Khartara tradition, there have been numerous influential and masterly ascetics, who researched and developed extensively in the fields of literature, astrology, history, Ayurveda, right way of perception among various topics that they explored. This includes the right way of meditation, [[Jain meditation#Satya Sadhna meditation|Satya Sadhna]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.satyasadhna.com/page.php?page_id=4|title=Satya Sadhna|website=www.satyasadhna.com|access-date=2018-08-12}}</ref> which has been followed by all the ascetics within and beyond the Khartara tradition. These books were not only for Jainism, or even for India, they were meant for the whole world. Jineshvara Sūri, in one of his rules, penned down that every fourth Shreepujya (lead acharya) who is bestowed the virtuous position will be called Jinachandra Sūri, and this 1000 year old tradition is still being followed even now.

Jinavallabha realised the difference between texts and words of teachers and put emphasis on sacred texts in Kharatara doctrine in the eleventh century. He wrote the ''Crown of Assembly''.<ref name="phil" />

The following four are known as ''Dada Guru'' in the sect and are venerated as spiritual guides.<ref name="HereNow4ux">{{cite web | title=Dada Guru | website=HereNow4u| url=http://www.herenow4u.net/index.php?id=79988 | language=en | access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref>

* Jinadatta Sūri (1075-1154 CE), is the most famous ascetic of Gaccha who won converts in [[Sindh]]. After his death at [[Ajmer]], a monument was erected there and the place is known as [[Dādābadī|Dadabari]].<ref name="phil"/><ref name="HereNow4ux"/>
* Maṇidhārī Jinachandra Sūri (1140-1166 CE)<ref name="HereNow4ux"/>
* Jinakushal Sūri (1279–1331) gained many converts in western India.<ref name="phil"/><ref name="HereNow4ux"/>
* Jinachandra Sūri II (1537–1612) visited [[Lahore]] in 1591, where he convinced [[Akbar]] to stop Muslim attack on Jain temples.<ref name="phil"/><ref name="HereNow4ux"/>

==Doctrines==
Kharatara ascetics regard their practices as scripturally correct. They follow basic [[Shvetambara]] canon and works of other Kharatara teachers.<ref name="phil"/>

==Adherents==
Ascetics: 193 nuns, 19 monks in 1986 <ref name="phil"/> or 50-75 monks and 300 nuns <ref name=hvg/> Large number of its lay followers reside in [[Rajasthan]] and [[West Bengal]] states of India.<ref name="hvg" /><ref name="phil" />

==See also==
* [[Tapa Gaccha]]
* [[Tristutik Gaccha]]
* [[Jain schools and branches]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Jainism Topics}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Śvētāmbara sects]]

Kharatara Gaccha - Revision history

>Serols at 15:00, 18 May 2021