In Jainism, Digambar and Shwetambar are the two main traditions (sects). Both follow the same core Jain Dharma, but differ in some practices and beliefs.

1. Meaning of the names

• Digambar: Dig (directions/sky) + ambar (clothes)

→ “Sky‑clad” – symbol of total renunciation.

• Shwetambar: Shweta (white) + ambar (clothes)

→ “White‑clad” – white‑clothed.

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2. Dress of monks and nuns

• Digambar

- Ideal monk does not wear clothes (nude) – sign of complete aparigraha (non‑possessiveness). - Carries very few things, like picchī (mor‑pichhī, feather broom) and kamandal (water pot). - Women do not go sky‑clad.

• Shwetambar

- Monks and nuns wear simple white clothes. - They also keep a small broom (rajoharan/ogha) and a bowl etc.

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3. Women and moksha

• Digambar (traditional view)

For final moksha as a kevali, full Digambar monk‑discipline (including nudity) is required. Therefore many Digambar acharyas say a woman must take birth as a man before final liberation.

• Shwetambar (traditional view)

Women can get moksha directly in female body, if they have right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct (samyak darshan, gyan, charitra).

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4. Scriptures (Agam / shastra)

• Shwetambar

- Accept a preserved set of Āgams (Ang, Upang, Ched‑sutra, Mool‑sutra, etc.). - Their teachings are mainly based on these Agams and later commentaries.

• Digambar

- Say that original Ang‑Agam texts were finally lost. - Do not accept present Shwetambar Agams as fully authentic words of Bhagwan Mahavir. - Main texts: Ṣaṭkhaṇḍāgama, Kaṣāya‑pāhuda and many shastras of Ācharyas like Kundkund, Samantabhadra, etc.

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5. Idols and temples

• Digambar

- Tirthankar idols are generally unclothed, very simple, eyes in deep meditation. - Less ornament – stress on renunciation.

• Shwetambar

- Tirthankar idols usually clothed or with symbolic clothes, more ornament, and often with big, open eyes.

(But the Bhagwan is the same 24 Tirthankars in both.)

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6. Festivals (Paryushan / Das‑Lakshan)

• Shwetambar

- 8‑day Paryushan, last day is Samvatsari – day of “Micchami Dukkadam”.

• Digambar

- 10‑day Das‑Lakshan Parva, each day one great dharma (Kshama, Mardav, Arjav… till Brahmacharya). - Forgiveness day is Kshamavani.

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7. What is common in both

Despite these differences, both share:

• Same goal: moksha (liberation from karma and rebirth)
• Same basic path:

Samyak darshan, samyak gyan, samyak charitra

• Same main vows:

Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, Aparigraha

• Same belief in karma, jiva–ajiva, 24 Tirthankars, Jain cosmology, etc.

So: Difference is mainly in external practice, dress code, some scriptural and doctrinal points. The heart of Jain Dharma is the same in both.

You can read a concise comparison here