Answer

Śvetāmbara and Digambara are the two main traditions of Jain Dharma. The main differences are in monastic practice, attire, and some scriptural traditions.

Explanation

1. Clothing

• Śvetāmbara monks and nuns wear white clothing.
• Digambara monks practice complete renunciation of clothing and remain unclothed.

2. Monastic path

• Both follow non-violence, truth, non-stealing, celibacy, and non-possessiveness.
• Digambara tradition emphasizes total detachment in the strictest form.
• Śvetāmbara tradition follows renunciation while still permitting simple white robes for monastics.

3. Women in monastic life

• In Śvetāmbara tradition, women can take full monastic vows.
• In Digambara tradition, the path to the highest monastic state is traditionally understood differently, and women are generally not accepted as Digambara nude monks.

4. Scriptures

• Śvetāmbara tradition accepts the surviving Āgamas as authentic scriptures.
• Digambara tradition believes the original Āgamas were lost and places greater emphasis on other texts and teachings of Acharyas.

5. Images of Tirthankaras

• Śvetāmbara idols are often shown with open eyes and may be decorated.
• Digambara idols are usually shown in a very simple, meditative form, often with downcast eyes and no ornaments.

Spiritual Understanding

Both traditions aim for the same goal: liberation of the soul. The difference is mainly in practice and tradition, not in the core Jain ideal of purification, detachment, and liberation.

Takeaway

• Śvetāmbara = white-clad monastic tradition
• Digambara = nude monastic tradition
• Both are authentic Jain paths with the same spiritual goal of moksha.

If you want, I can also give you a simple comparison table of Śvetāmbara vs Digambara.