Kavipanth is a sect belonging to
Jainism. This is a relatively new sect founded by a religious person named Shrimad Rajacandra (1867-1901). During the course of his spiritual development, he wrote about 800 letters to his friend. These letters, containing his spiritual thoughts and views on Jainism, form the sacred text of the Kavipanthis. They contain the six principles, related to the soul and its deliverance, to be followed in the sect. They also contain some elements of
Hinduism.
The main aim of forming the Kavipanth sect was to create a religion which is free from attachment and hatred. Shrimad Rajacandra was greatly influenced by the thoughts of Kundakunda, a Digambara belonging to the second or third century. Though initially he did not believe in idol worship, in later parts of his life he considered it as an important path towards spiritual success. He was elevated to the status of a saint by his followers. His image and writings are the idols of worship for the Kavipanthis.
The followers of this religion are mostly concentrated in Gujarat. There are also Srimad Rajacandra temples in other parts of India and in East Africa, Britain, and North America.
