What are the different Jain sects?

Jainism has two broad sectarian families, with several traditional sub-traditions within them:

• Digambara (the “sky-clad” tradition)

- Key features: monks traditionally go without clothes as a sign of renunciation; women are generally believed not to attain moksha in the current life within this tradition (they must be reborn as men to seek liberation in Digambara views). This is a distinctive Jain身份 and practice in Digambara communities. - Note: There are various historical lineages within Digambara, but there is no single, uniformly organized sub-sect with the same level of unity as seen in Śvetāmbara today.

• Śvetāmbara (the “white-clad” tradition)

- Key features: monks wear white robes; more emphasis on temple-based worship and idols/images in many communities; more varied monastic and lay practices across regions. - Main sub-traditions within Śvetāmbara: - Mūla Śvetāmbara: the traditional, older lineage of Śvetāmbara monks and communities. - Sthānakvāsī: a reformist, idol-less strand within Śvetāmbara that emphasizes meditation and scriptural study rather than temple idol worship. - Terāpanthī: another reform movement within Śvetāmbara, known for a distinctive organizational approach and different practices from some other Śvetāmbara groups. - There are also regional and community-based variations among Śvetāmbara Jains (e.g., differences in temple practices, liturgy, and monastic rules) that give flavor to local Jain communities.

If you’d like, I can give you a simple, authentic summary of each sect’s core beliefs, or provide brief notes on the key differences in monastic dress, temple practices, and views on moksha.