Jainism has two main sects – Digambar and Shwetambar – mainly because, after Bhagwan Mahavir’s time, differences slowly arose in practice and interpretation of the same Jain teachings.

In very simple points:

1. Historical reason (main cause)

- A few centuries after Mahavir, Jain monks and communities spread to different regions of India. - Due to distance, different teachers, and different living conditions, two main traditions developed. - Over time, they formed two large groups with their own rules and scriptural traditions – these became Digambar and Shwetambar.

1. Main differences that led to two sects

- Monk’s way of living (especially clothing) - Digambar = “sky‑clad” → monks do not wear clothes, as a symbol of total renunciation. - Shwetambar = “white‑clad” → monks and nuns wear simple white clothes. This different understanding of how a sadhu should live became a big point of separation.

- Scriptures (Agam / granth) - Shwetambar believe their Agam sutras are preserved words of Mahavir’s teaching. - Digambar believe the original Agams were lost, and they follow other texts as more reliable. Because of this, each sect accepts a different set of main scriptures.

- View about women and moksha - Many Digambar acharyas teach that a woman must be reborn as a man to attain final moksha. - Shwetambar teach that women can attain moksha in the present life.

- Idols and temple style - Digambar idols – without clothes, very simple, eyes usually downcast. - Shwetambar idols – with clothes/ornaments, often open and decorated eyes.

1. But the core Jain Dharma is same in both

Both Digambar and Shwetambar fully accept:

• Ahimsa (non‑violence)
• Satya (truth)
• Achaurya / Asteya (non‑stealing)
• Brahmacharya (celibacy / control)
• Aparigraha (non‑possessiveness)
• Karma theory, rebirth, Tirthankars, and the final goal of moksha.

So, why are there two sects? Because over time, differences in monastic practice, scriptures, and some beliefs became strong enough that Jain sangh naturally formed into two big traditions. But both are Jain, both follow Mahavir’s path, and both aim at liberation.

You can read more in detail here: “Why were sects like Digambar and Shwetambar created?”