Here is a simple, authentic overview of what Śvetāmbara Jains believe:

• Who they are: Śvetāmbara means “white-clad.” They are one of the two major Jain sects, the other being Digambaras.

• Tirthankaras and the path: Śvetāmbara Jains believe in the same 24 Tirthankaras as the rest of Jainism, with Mahāvīra as the 24th Tirthankara. They teach that liberation (mokṣa) is achieved by following the Jain path of right belief, right knowledge, and right conduct (the three jewels and the five vows).

• Monastic dress and order: Śvetāmbara monks and nuns wear white clothes. They permit both male and female monastics to take full vows and pursue spiritual progress according to their respective ordination lines.

• Jain scriptures (canonical texts): Śvetāmbara Jains accept a corpus of Jain scriptures that includes traditional canons and commentaries known to them. They rely on these texts for the teachings of Mahāvīra and subsequent teachers. They distinguish their canon from the Digambara canon and have their own interpretive traditions, rituals, and practices.

• Women and spiritual possibility: In Śvetāmbara practice, women can freely undertake monastic vows and work toward liberation within their tradition. They emphasize the role of women’s spiritual effort and community life (śrāvakīs and śrāvikās) as well as female monastics.

• Practices and rituals: They observe core Jain practices such as tapas (austerities), samayikā (meditation for a set period), pañca varṣa vrata (five-year vows for some lay followers in festival contexts), panchamvara (a devotional practice in some communities), and celebrations like Mahāvir Jayanti. They also engage in annual and seasonal observances and community rituals according to their regional centers.

• Differences from Digambara: The most visible difference is monastic attire (Śvetāmbara wear white clothing; Digambaras practice nudity for monks), and differences in some scriptural canons and interpretations. There are also historical and ritual distinctions in some temple practices and festival customs. Despite these differences, both traditions share core Jain ethics: ahimsa (nonviolence), satya (truth), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (chastity), and aparigraha (non-attachment).

If you’d like, I can summarize Śvetāmbara beliefs in relation to a specific topic (rituals, scriptures, or daily practices) or point to a concise, tradition-specific outline.