In Jainism, “split” usually means: why are there different sects like Digambar and Shvetambar?

Here is a simple, traditional explanation:

1. Historical reason (migration and separation)

- After Bhagwan Mahavir’s nirvana, Jain Sangh stayed united for some time. - Many years later, during a severe famine in Magadh (around time of Chandragupta Maurya), one group of monks led by Acharya Bhadrabahu went to South India. - Another group stayed in North India under Acharya Sthulibhadra. - For many years these two groups lived far away from each other, with little contact. - Slowly, differences in rules, practices, and scriptures appeared. - Over a long time this grew into two main traditions: - Digambar (mainly in South and later Central India) - Shvetambar (mainly in North-West India like Gujarat, Rajasthan, etc.)

1. Main differences (outer practices)

Traditional Jain acharyas explain that the splits are mainly about outer conduct, not about the basic truth (tattva). For example:

- Monk’s clothing - Digambar monks stay completely nude (dig‑ambara = “sky‑clad”), showing total renunciation. - Shvetambar monks wear simple white clothes (shveta‑ambara = “white‑clad”).

- View on women and liberation - Classical Digambar view: a soul in a female body cannot attain final liberation (moksha) in that same life; she must take birth again as a male before liberation. - Shvetambar view: a soul in a female body can also attain moksha.

- Scriptures - Shvetambar accept a fixed collection of Agams as preserved canon. - Digambar say the original canon was lost; they follow later works (e.g. by Acharya Kundakund, etc.) as main authority.

- Idol form and rituals - Digambar idols usually are nude, very simple, without ornaments, often with downcast eyes. - Shvetambar idols may be clothed/ornamented, and styles differ. - Some rituals and daily rules are slightly different.

1. What is common (very important)

Even with these differences, the core of Jain Dharma remains same in both traditions:

- Same Tirthankars (like Bhagwan Rishabhdev, Parshvanath, Mahavir). - Same basic principles: Ahimsa (non‑violence), Satya, Achaurya (non‑stealing), Brahmacharya, Aparigraha. - Same tattvas: jiva, ajiva, punya, paap, ashrav, bandha, samvar, nirjara, moksha. - Same goal: to free the soul from karma and attain keval‑jnan and moksha.

1. Later small splits inside each

After Digambar–Shvetambar separation, smaller groups formed inside each, e.g.:

- Shvetambar: Murtipujak, Sthanakvasi, Terapanthi, etc. - Digambar: various sampradayas based on acharyas and mathas.

These are mostly about style of worship (idol vs no idol), discipline, organization – not about rejecting Jain principles.

So, the “split in Jainism” mainly happened because:

• Historical separation of Jain groups in different regions
• Over time, different traditions of discipline and scripture developed
• This became Digambar and Shvetambar paths

But according to traditional Jain view, all are following the same Jain Dharma, just with different outer ways of practicing it.