540 Dr. Buchanan Hamilton on the Srdwacs or Jains. 



most extreme inconvenience to avoid killing, by any accident, even the most 

 minute reptile ; bnt when afraid of any misfortune, they employ a Brahman 

 to make that offering. This seems, however, to be a superstition that has 

 been introduced among them from their neighboui's, like the worship of the 

 gods of the orthodox Hindus. 



Besides the Digambar and Sxeetcimhar, as I have already mentioned, three 

 sects, called Tcrepant'hi, Bispant'hi, and Durii/a, seem to have lately arisen 

 among the Jains ; a proof that they are now freed from the terrors of perse- 

 cution. 



The Terepani'his and Bispant'his are so few in number, that I have not 

 been able to learn the differences of opinion on account of which they have 

 separated from each other ; but both agree in rejecting the advice of the 

 sages (Gnrus) who are spiritual guides for the two old sects of the Juins; nor 

 have they adopted any other persons to perform this important office. This 

 is a heresy so damnable, that they are beheld with the abhorrence due to 

 the heterodox (Nustik) ; while the Sxvctumharas in the west of India, and 

 even in Palna, from their weight in the state, are at present admitted by 

 the BraJimans to be orthodox (Astilc). These two heterodox sects worship 

 the twenty-four Avatars or Tirt'hancaras, and perform the other religious 

 rites usual among the Srcncacs : practices which arc entirely condemned by 

 the people called Duriyas, all of whom are said to consider themselves as 

 having obtained divinity, and therefore as exempted from the worship of 

 any god. This extravagance, however, has not been accompanied by the 

 system of rejecting tlie advace of sages (Gums) ; and therefore, although 

 considered as heterodox (Ndslik), they are thought less dangerous than the 

 other two schisms ; especially as their sages are ascetics of the most extra- 

 vagant degree of mortification, who wander about thoughtless of all worldly 

 concerns, covered with rags and nastiness. Tliesc fanatics have not yet 

 penetrated so far toward the east as Patna, and the account above given is 

 taken entirely from report. 



