Certainly! Jainism, one of the oldest religions of India, has developed several sects over time. The two main sects are Digambara and Śvetāmbara, each with its own philosophies, practices, and further subdivisions. Below is a detailed explanation:

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1. Digambara Sect

Meaning: "Digambara" means "sky-clad," referring to the practice of ascetic nudity among its monks.

Key Features:

• Monastic Practice: Monks do not wear any clothes, symbolizing absolute renunciation.
• Scriptures: Accept different texts from Śvetāmbara.
• Women: Believe women must be reborn as men to attain liberation (moksha).
• Idols: Idols of Tirthankaras are depicted without any clothing and with downcast eyes.

Digambara Sub-sects:

a) Bisapanthi

• Worship with rituals, flowers, fruits, lamps, and incense.
• Temples feature idols of Tirthankaras and attendant deities (Yaksha, Yakshini).

b) Terapanthi (Digambara)

• Oppose the use of flowers, fruits, lamps, and other outward rituals.
• Focus solely on worship of the Tirthankaras.
• Called "Terapanthi" because of the original thirteen (terah) principles they followed.

c) Taranapanthi (also called Samaiyapanth)

• Founded by Taran Svami in the 16th century.
• Reject idol worship completely.
• Emphasize meditation, scriptural study, and inner purification.

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2. Śvetāmbara Sect

Meaning: "Śvetāmbara" means "white-clad," referring to the white clothes worn by its monks and nuns.

Key Features:

• Monastic Practice: Monks and nuns wear simple white clothes.
• Scriptures: Accept a different canon of Jain Agamas than Digambaras.
• Women: Believe women can attain liberation directly.
• Idols: Idols of Tirthankaras are clothed and adorned, often with glass eyes.

Śvetāmbara Sub-sects:

a) Murtipujaka (Deravasi)

• Worships images (murtis) of Tirthankaras in temples.
• Rituals include offerings of flowers, fruits, and lamps.

b) Sthanakvasi

• Originated in the 17th century (founded by Lonka Shah).
• Reject idol worship and temple rituals.
• Emphasize meditation and study of scriptures.
• Gather in simple meeting halls (Sthanaks).

c) Terapanthi (Śvetāmbara)

• Founded by Acharya Bhikshu in the 18th century.
• Strict discipline, strong central leadership (single Acharya).
• Do not practice image worship; focus on internal purity.
• "Terapanth" means "path of thirteen," referring to their original 13 principles.

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3. Other Minor or Reformist Sects

a) Yapaniya

• An ancient sect, now extinct.
• Believed to have followed a path between Digambara and Śvetāmbara.

b) Gacchas (Śvetāmbara sub-divisions)

• Various lineages (Gacchas) arose within Śvetāmbara Murtipujakas, such as Kharatara Gaccha, Tapa Gaccha, Anchala Gaccha, etc.
• Each Gaccha has its own monastic rules and traditions.

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Summary Table

| Main Sect | Sub-sects | Key Characteristics | |---------------|--------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------| | Digambara | Bisapanthi, Terapanthi, Taranapanthi | Nudity, strict asceticism, male-only moksha | | Śvetāmbara | Murtipujaka (Deravasi), Sthanakvasi, Terapanthi | White-clad, image worship or non-image worship | | Others | Yapaniya, various Gacchas | Historical/intermediate groups |

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Conclusion: Jainism’s main sects—Digambara and Śvetāmbara—differ in monastic practices, scriptural acceptance, views on idol worship, and gender roles in achieving liberation. Each has further sub-sects that arose due to differences in ritual practices, interpretation of scriptures, and reforms over centuries. Despite these differences, all sects share the core Jain values of non-violence (ahimsa), non-attachment (aparigraha), and truth (satya).