Answer

In Jain Dharma, people may follow different categories or ways of practice depending on their level of renunciation, tradition, and spiritual discipline.

The main categories are:

• Sadhu / Muni – Jain monks
• Sadhvi / Aryika – Jain nuns
• Shravak – Jain laymen
• Shravika – Jain laywomen

These four are often called the Chaturvidh Sangh — the fourfold Jain community.

Explanation

1. Sadhu / Muni
A Sadhu or Muni is a male renunciant who gives up worldly life and follows strict vows, especially the five great vows:

• Ahimsa – non-violence
• Satya – truthfulness
• Achaurya / Asteya – non-stealing
• Brahmacharya – celibacy
• Aparigraha – non-possession

2. Sadhvi / Aryika
A Sadhvi is a female renunciant. She also gives up worldly life and follows vows, discipline, study, meditation, and spiritual practice.

3. Shravak
A Shravak is a Jain layman who lives in society, has family and worldly responsibilities, but follows Jain principles as much as possible. He observes smaller vows called Anuvratas and practices charity, devotion, fasting, self-control, and compassion.

4. Shravika
A Shravika is a Jain laywoman. She also follows Jain values while living household life, including non-violence, vegetarianism, prayer, fasting, temple worship, scriptural listening, and ethical living.

Other Common Categories

Jains are also commonly grouped by traditions or sects, such as:

• Digambar
• Shvetambar

Within these, there are further traditions, such as:

• Deravasi / Murtipujak
• Sthanakvasi
• Terapanthi

These traditions may differ in certain rituals, dress, temple practices, scripture traditions, and monastic rules, but they share the core Jain principles of:

• Ahimsa
• Anekantvad
• Aparigraha
• Karma theory
• Liberation of the soul

Spiritual Understanding

Jain Dharma recognizes that not everyone is at the same spiritual level. Some people renounce the world completely, while others practice Dharma while living family life.

The goal for all is the same:

• Purification of the soul
• Reduction of karma
• Growth in self-control and compassion
• Progress toward moksha

Takeaway

The Jain community is mainly divided into the fourfold Sangh: monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen. Different sects and traditions may follow different practices, but the heart of Jain Dharma remains Ahimsa, self-discipline, and liberation of the soul.