Sthānakavāsī

Sthānakavāsī is a living tradition within Śvetāmbara. Also written Sthanakvasi, Dhundhiya.

Origin

Founders named in the sources: Lava (Lavji) of Surat, per Britannica, Lonka Shah, named in other reference literature as founder or precursor. Founding date given as 17th century. Britannica describes the Sthanakavasi as a modern Śvetāmbara subsect that rejects image worship and temple ritual, preferring religious duties performed at secular places such as monks' meeting-houses (sthanaka), and dates its founding to the 17th century by Lava of Surat.