In Jain tradition, Śvetāmbara and Digambara are both regarded as old Jain branches that came from the same original Jain Sangha of Bhagwan Mahāvīra.

Why Śvetāmbaras say they are as old as Digambaras

They do not usually mean they are a separate religion. They mean:

• both traditions come from the same ancient Jain source
• the split happened later, after the time of Mahāvīra
• so each side claims continuity with the original Jain tradition

From the Śvetāmbara view, their way of preserving the teachings is an old and valid continuation of the early Jain community. Digambaras also claim the same continuity. So the real issue is not “which is Jain and which is not,” but how the original teachings were preserved and transmitted.

About their texts

Yes, Śvetāmbaras have their own scriptural tradition, called the Āgamas.

Śvetāmbara texts

• The Śvetāmbara canon is mainly in Ardhamāgadhī Prakrit
• It includes texts like:

- Ācārāṅga Sūtra - Sūtrakṛtāṅga - Sthanāṅga - Samavāyāṅga - Bhagavatī Sūtra - and others

Śvetāmbaras believe these teachings were preserved and later written down by their lineage.

Digambara texts

Digambaras generally do not accept the Śvetāmbara Āgamas as the original complete canon in their present form. They rely more on texts such as:

• Ṣaṭkhaṇḍāgama
• Kaṣāyapāhuda
• works of Āchārya Kundakunda
• later philosophical and ritual texts

Main difference in view

• Śvetāmbara view: the Āgamas were preserved through their tradition
• Digambara view: the original complete Āgamas were gradually lost, so later texts became authoritative

Simple conclusion

Both traditions claim ancient Jain roots. Śvetāmbaras are not saying “we are newer but equal”; they are saying:

“Our tradition also comes from the ancient Jain Sangha, and our scriptures preserve that line.”

If you want, I can also give you a simple chart of Śvetāmbara vs Digambara texts.