Namaste,
I'm a member of HDF for a few months now.I've noticed that there are many schools of Shaivam.I'm trying to make a small list based on my limited knowledge.
Purpose:
-Primarily to know the Vedanta interpretations of the schools.
-Associated religious practices
Firstly,these two images from the internet.
(I do not know about the accuracy of the above charts)
SHAVISM-SCHOOLS AND DEVOTEE PRACTICES:
1.Shaivam (not affiliated to any particular Sampradaya,corresponds to Puranic & popular worship of Lord Shiva)
Features:
1.May worship other deities.
Philosophy:Unknown
2.Smarta Shaivam (also corresponds to Puranic & popular worship of Lord Shiva)
Features:
1.Smarta devotees accept other deities as equal to Lord Shiva,such as Lord Vishnu and Goddess Devi and worship them too.
Philosophy:
Advaita Vedanta of Sri Adi Shankaracharya.
Institutions:
-The four amnaya pithas established by Sri Shankaracharyas at Sringeri,Puri,Jyotirmath and Dwaraka.
3.Saiva Siddhanta
Features:
1.Accepts the Vedas,Puranas and Agamas.
2.Found predominantly in Tamil Nadu and also in Andhra Pradesh & Telanagana.
3.Emphasis on the various Agamas and the tamil devotional literature of the 63 Nayanmars & others.
Philosophy:
It seems that there are three interpretations:
1.Advaita(Monism): based on Rishi Tirumular's Tirumantiram(P1)
2.Dvaita(Dualism): based on Meykanda Shastras(P2)
3.Bheda Abheda(Difference as well as oneness) ( P3 ) I don't know
Thus,there are three different traditions.
Institutions:
I think some Shaiva members here study either P1 or P3.The Saiva Siddhanta Church-Adheenam of Kauai,Hawaii follows P1(& P3?).
P1:Kauai Adheenam-Kailasa Parampara-Nandinatha Sampradaya
P2 & P3:
1.Unknown...
2.Maybe Madurai Adheenam
4.Veera Shaivas(correspons to Lingayat in the chart)
Actually,there are two sub-schools here:
a)Srauta Shiavas
b)Lingayats
4)a)Srauta Shaiva(Accept authority of the Vedas[Sruti=Srauta],Puranas,Agamas etc.)
Also known as Aradhyas(a sect of Brahmins)
Features:
1.Practice four-fold Varna system and Ashrama Dharma
2.Emphasize Grihasta Dharma(Householder,family)
3.Found mosty in Andhra Pradesh and may be in Tamil Nadu,Telangana and Karnataka.
Philosophy:Unknown
Institution:Unknown
4)b)Lingayats/Lingavanta/Lingadharins(accepts the same scriptures as the Srautas)
Features:
1.Reform group that rejected Varna Dharma on the call given by Sri Basaveshwara in the 11th century.
2.Found mostly in Karnataka and also in Telangana & Andra Pradesh.
Philosophy:Shakti Vishishta-Advaita
Institutions:
-The five simhasanas(seats) established by the five Siddha Acharyas/Aradhyas at Kashi,Kedarnath,Ujjani,SriShaila and Balehonnur.
Common Features:
*In my knowledge these two are the only schools that have the concept of wearing a Siva Linga on the neck.
Pictures: http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/sho...80&postcount=5
5.Kashmira Shaiva:
Some terms related to this school,Trika,Spanda,Pratyabhijna etc.
Features:
1.Unknown
2.From Kashmir
Philosophy:Advaita?
Institutions:
-Unknown
-Maybe related to Sri Abhinavagupta
I assume that one of our best and senior member Ji studies this system.I hope he will be able to tell us more about this school
6.Shiva Vishishta-Advaita
Features:
1.Based on Srikanthacharya/Nilakanthacharya's commentaries on the Upanishads and Brahma Sutras.
2.School's existence unknown
3.May or may not accept Agamas
4.Srauta Shaivas it seems rely on these commentaries
About other schools:coming soon
Wherever I wrote unknown or '?',it means that I do not know about that.I think our members can help me to fill in the gaps.
If there are any mistakes,please do tell me,I'll correct them.
to be continued..
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