In Jainism, the reason Tirthankars are shown without clothes depends on the sect, but the main idea in both is complete renunciation and non‑attachment.

1. Digambar tradition (sky‑clad)

In Digambar Jainism:

• “Digambar” itself means “sky‑clad” – the sky is their only garment.
• A Tirthankar has left every single possession, including clothes.
• Nudity = total aparigraha (non‑possessiveness) and complete vairagya (detachment).
• It shows:

- No ownership of anything of this world - No shame, pride, or body‑attachment - Equal vision towards all beings (no social status, no rich/poor, no decoration)

So Digambar murtis of Tirthankars are nude, with no clothes and no ornaments, to show:

• They are vitarag (free from attachment and aversion)
• They live beyond all social rules, fashion, and comfort.

You can read more here

---

2. Shwetambar tradition (white‑clad)

In Shwetambar Jainism:

• “Shwetambar” means “white‑clad” – wearing simple white clothes.
• They accept that a Tirthankar has completely renounced attachment, but they allow simple white clothing as part of their monastic rules.
• So in most Shwetambar temples, Tirthankars are shown with a light cloth or drapery, but:

- No ornaments - No luxurious dress - Very simple, pure form

Here, the meaning is the same:

• Renunciation, purity, and non‑attachment
• Only the outer symbol (with or without cloth) is different.

You can see a simple comparison here

---

Essence in simple words

• Tirthankars don’t wear clothes (Digambar view) or wear only the simplest white cloth (Shwetambar view) because they have no attachment to body or possessions.
• Their real “dress” is their purity, keval‑jnan, and vitaragata, not any external clothing.