Q71 · UPSC Prelims 2018 · Set A · Art and Culture

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With reference to the religious practices in India, the "Sthanakvasi" sect belongs to

A Buddhism
B Jainism
C Vaishnavism
D Shaivism

Correct answer: (b) Jainism

Explanation

  1. A

    Buddhism

    (a) Buddhism. Buddhist schools include Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana; Sthanakvasi is not one of them. This option is not the key.

  2. B

    Jainism

    (b) Jainism. Sthanakvasis are a Svetambara Jain sect that rejects idol worship and worships in sthanaks (halls) rather than temples. That is the Indian religious identification asked. This option is the official key.

  3. C

    Vaishnavism

    (c) Vaishnavism. Vaishnava sampradayas centre on Vishnu/Krishna; Sthanakvasi is not among them. This option is not the key.

  4. D

    Shaivism

    (d) Shaivism. Shaiva traditions worship Shiva; they do not include Sthanakvasi. This option is not the key.

Summary. Official key is (b) Jainism. Sthanakvasi is a non-idolatrous Svetambara Jain tradition, distinguished from Murtipujaka temple Jains and from the later Terapanth. It is not a Buddhist nikaya and not a Vaishnava or Shaiva sampradaya. The WRAP identification is therefore Jainism. That matches the stored letter (b).