RELIGIOUS SECTS OF THE HINDUS. 289 



two sects are far from restricted to that of dress, and comprehend a list 

 of no fewer than seven hundred, of which eighty-four are regarded as of 

 infinite importance : a few of these may be here noticed. 



The Swetdmbaras decorate the images of the Tirthankaras with ear- 

 rings, necklaces, armlets, and tiaras of gold and jewels : the Digambaras 

 leave their images without the foreign aid of ornament. 



The Swetdmbaras assert that there are twelve heavens, and sixty- 

 four Indras : the Digambaras maintain that there are sixteen heavens, and 

 one hundred Olympian monarchs. 



The Swetdmbaras permit their Gurus to eat out of vessels : the Digam- 

 baras receive the food in their open hands from their disciples. 



The Swetdmbaras consider the accompaniments of the brush, water- 

 pot, &c, as essential to the character of an ascetic : the Digambaras deny 

 their importance. 



The Swetdmbaras assert that the Angas, or scriptures, are the work 

 of the immediate disciples of the Tirthankaras : the Digambaras, with 

 more reason, maintain that the leading authorities of the Jain religion are 

 the composition of subsequent teachers or Achdryas. 



The advantage gained by the Digambaras, in the last debateable 

 matter, they lose, it is to be apprehended, in the next, when they 

 assert that no woman can obtain Nirvdn, in opposition to the more gallant 

 doctrine of their rivals, which admits the fair sex to the enjoyment of 

 final annihilation. 



c 2 



