Here are some of the most important Jain texts, with a brief note on what they cover and which traditions emphasize them:

• Tattvartha-sutra (Śrī Umāsvāti)

- What it is: A comprehensive summary of Jain philosophy, cosmology, ethics, and spiritual practice. - Why it’s important: Often considered the most authoritative, canonical text that both Digambar and Śvetambar traditions study, though they describe some aspects differently. - Focus areas: Reality (tattva), conduct, right faith, right knowledge, right conduct, and the path to liberation.

• Agamas (canon of the Śvetāmbara school)

- What they are: Discourses attributed to the Tirthankaras, compiled and preserved in the Śvetāmbara tradition. - Why they’re important: Primary ethical and spiritual guidance; form the backbone of Śvetāmbara Jain scripture. - Examples: Aṅga and Pūrva sections, details vary by sub-schools.

• Anga, Ajita, and Kalpa Sūtras (various collections linked to early Jain teachers)

- What they are: Early sutras that cover conduct, cosmology, and biographies of teachers and Tirthankaras. - Why they’re important: Foundational material for Jain ethics, monastic rules, and cosmology.

• Kalpa Sūtra (biographies of Tirthankaras, especially Mahavira’s life)

- What it is: Biographical and devotional narratives about the Tirthankaras. - Why it’s important: Revered for devotional recitation and for understanding the virtuous lives of Tirthankaras. - Note: Details and emphasis can differ between Digambar and Śvetāmbara traditions.

• Sūtrakṛtānga Sutta (Śvetāmbara; sometimes titled differently in other canons)

- What it is: A scripture focusing on ethical conduct, vows, and the life of the monastic community. - Why it’s important: Practical guidance for lay and ascetic discipline.

• Sthananga Sūtra (Śvetāmbara) and Bharatakathā literature

- What they are: Systematic discussions on Jain ontology (things and categories) and ethics. - Why they’re important: Teachings on the nature of reality and the path to liberation.

• Uttarādhyayana Sūtra (Śvetāmbara) and other Ācāranga-influenced texts

- What they are: Focus on conduct, vows, and the monastic code. - Why they’re important: Key reference for ethical rules and renunciant life.

• Jain philosophical treatises and commentaries (various authors)

- What they are: Scholarly works that elaborate on tattva, karma, liberation, and epistemology. - Why they’re important: Help scholars and practitioners deepen understanding and resolve doctrinal questions.

Important notes about differences:

• Digambar and Śvetāmbara traditions sometimes disagree on which texts are included in their official canons and on certain doctrinal interpretations. When studying a text, it helps to note which tradition is being referenced and any tradition-specific variations in content or emphasis.
• The core spiritual aim across traditions is the same: liberation (moksha) through right faith (darśana), right knowledge (jñāna), and right conduct (cāritra). The differences are often about how those principles are organized, interpreted, or recited in practice.

If you’d like, tell me a specific Jain text or topic (e.g., “the philosophy of karma,” “monastic code,” or a particular sutra), and I can provide the authentic arth (meaning) and, if requested, the original verses and their traditional interpretations.