Sects of Jainism

Jainism has two main sects, theShvetambaras and the Digambaras. Shvetambara monks wear white clothes, whereas Digambara monks do not wear any clothes at all. Each of Jainism's major sects recognizes its own body of sacred scriptures, though many texts are shared by all.

According to the history of the Jaina religion up to Mahavira, sects, and sub-sects did not exist at that time. Each of the two major sects, the Digambara sect, and the Shvetambara sect, was subdivided into various major and minor sub-sects based on differences in acknowledging or interpreting religious texts and in religious practice.

Two Sects of Jainism

The Jain order has been divided into two major sects: Shvetambara and Digambara. This division occurred mainly due to famine in Magadh, which compelled a group led by Bhadrabahu and Chandragupta Maurya to move to South India (Shravan Belgola) in 298 BC.

• The leader of the group that stayed back at Magadha was Sthulbhadra.
• During the 12 years of famine, the group in South India stuck to strict practices, while the group in Magadha adopted a more lax attitude and started wearing white clothes.
• Later on, further splits occurred among both sections, the most significant of which renounced idol worship entirely and devoted itself to the worship of the scriptures.
  • They were known as Terapanthis among Shvetambaras and Samaiyas among Digambaras. (This sect came into existence about the sixth century CE).

Shvetambara Sect

The Sanskrit term ‘Shvetambara’ means ‘white-clad’ and refers to the white clothing of monks and nuns of this order. The Shvetambaras have preserved many original scriptures. They believe that knowing that the true self consists of freedom from passions, realizing the power of the spiritual practice of non-attachment, and understanding the gradual order of undertaking the practice of the means of liberation, one can very well understand a monk's acceptance of clothing.

• The only essential point is that when one attains the state of perfect non-attachment, one definitely attains liberation, irrespective of one’s being nude or not. Clothing is not an obstacle to salvation.
• It is an attachment that acts as an obstacle to salvation.
• The Shvetambaras also allow women to join the monastic order on the assumption that they will achieve Nirvana.
• Holy Texts: Agamas (Angas, Anga-bahyas).

Sub-sects of Shvetambara

There are three sub-sects of the ‘Shvetambara’ sect, namely, Sthanakavasi, Murtipujaka, and Terapanthi.

Digambara Sect

The literal meaning of the word digambara is sky-clad. The Digambara contend that perfection cannot be reached by anyone who wears clothing. They think that a man should abstain from food and possessions, including clothing, to become a saint. 

• They also denied women the right to salvation. Women are said to be incapable of salvation because they cannot go without clothes.
• The Digambaras are adamant that there can be no salvation without nakedness.
• The Digambaras believe that no original canonical text exists now.

Sub-sects of Digambara

The Digambara sect, in recent centuries, has been divided into the following sub-sects:

Mula Sangh, Bisapantha, Terapantha, Taranapantha or Samaiyapantha, Gumanapantha, and Totapantha.

Difference between Two Sects of Jainism

The main difference between the two sects of Jainism, i.e., Shvetambara and Digambara, are based on clothing, followers, teachings, literature, etc.