Lingāyat Movement

Founder

Basavanna along with Allama Prabhu, Chenna Basavanna, Akka Mahadevi revived this socio-religious Bhakti movement. Some believe that saint Renukācharya founded veera-shaivism

Year & place of founding

When Lingayats came to be considered as a separate sect is not clear. Many of

Aims & ideals

Lingayats believe in supreme godhead whom they call as Shiva, who is sagunātmaka (with attributes) but nirākara (without form). They were Lingam, symbol of their chosen deity on their body.

Monastic / Non-monastic

Includes both monastic and householder followers.

General philosophical outlook

Veera Shaivism's means of attainment depends on the panchāchāra (five codes of conduct) and ashtāvarana (eight shields) to protect the body as the abode of the Lord.The five codes are:

• Lingāchāra - daily worship of the personal Sivalinga
• Sadāchāra - attention to vocation and duty
• Sivāchāra - acknowledging Siva as the one God and equality among members
• Bhrityāchāra - humility towards all creatures
• Ganāchāra (defense of the community and its tenets)

The eight protections are:Guru, Linga, Jangama (wandering

Spiritual disciplines generally advocated

Ishta-linga is worn on the body; and is regularly worshipped. By leading noble life and dedicated service, one can attain the liberation.

Administrative set-up

The community is headed by sevaral mathas. All India Veerashaiva is umbrella organisation.

Provision for joining

One becomes a Lingayat through formal initiation called Linga Diksha, a rite, enjoins the devotee to worship the personal Sivalinga daily. There are several training centres attached to maths for training the monastic members. The training includes study of scriptures such as agamas, vachanas and other literature.

Present chief of the movement

The chief religious leaders of the movement include

• Shri. Shri. Rambapuri Veerasomeshwara Jagadguru p//index.php/Yoga" title="Yoga">Yoga | Mimamsa | Vedanta | Tantra | Bhakti | Carvakas