Alternative spellings of this word include Sthapanacharya.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

Sthāpanācārya (स्थापनाचार्य).—The sthāpanācārya is composed of four sticks of wood that are bound together to form a stand. Cradled in the center of the satnd is a bundled cloth that typically contains five shells. These shells symbolically represent the five supreme lords, the pañcaparameṣṭhin: liberated souls (Jinas and other siddhas), mendicant leaders (ācāryas), mendicant preceptors (upādhyāyas), and all monks (munis). According to John E. Cort, the sthāpanācārya, which is still used today in contemporary ritual practice, “physically signals that no mendicant is ever on his or her own, but is always in the presence of the entire Jain spiritual hierarchy”.

context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

India history and geography

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical Glossary

Sthāpana-acārya.—(HA), same as Thavaṇī (q. v.). Cf. Sthān- ācārya. Note: sthāpana-acārya is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

Languages of India and abroad

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Sthāpanacārya (ಸ್ಥಾಪನಚಾರ್ಯ):—[noun] a man who has establishd (a religion, establishment, institution, etc.).

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Sthapana, Acarya.

Full-text: Thavani.

Relevant text

Search found 2 books and stories containing Sthapanacarya, Sthāpanācārya, Sthapana-acarya, Sthāpana-ācārya, Sthāpana-acārya, Sthāpanacārya; (plurals include: Sthapanacaryas, Sthāpanācāryas, acaryas, ācāryas, acāryas, Sthāpanacāryas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Hindu Pluralism (by Elaine M. Fisher)

Hindu Sectarianism: A European Invention? < [Introduction]

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Triveni Journal

Reviews < [July – September, 1981]

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