Answer

Jainism has two major sects:

• Digambara
• Śvetāmbara

Over time, these two traditions developed several sub-sects based on differences in monastic practice, temple worship, scriptures, rituals, and community traditions.

Explanation

1. Digambara Sect

Meaning: “Digambara” means “sky-clad.” This refers to the ideal of complete renunciation followed by Digambara monks.

Main features:

• Digambara monks traditionally do not wear clothes, symbolizing total non-possession.
• Digambara tradition holds that the original scriptures were lost over time.
• They believe that a Kevalī, an omniscient being, does not require food.
• They traditionally hold that liberation in the same lifetime is possible only after being born as a male ascetic.
• Images of Tirthankars are generally shown unclothed, in deep meditation, without ornaments.

Digambara Sub-sects

• Bisapantha
  A temple-worshipping Digambara tradition. They perform worship of Tirthankar images with offerings according to their customs.
• Terapantha Digambara
  A reform-oriented Digambara sub-sect that arose against certain ritual practices. They emphasize a simpler form of worship.
• Tāraṇapantha / Samaiyapantha
  Founded by Tāraṇ Svāmī. This tradition gives special importance to scriptural study and inner spiritual practice. It generally does not emphasize image worship in the same way as temple-worshipping groups.

2. Śvetāmbara Sect

Meaning: “Śvetāmbara” means “white-clad.” Śvetāmbara monks and nuns wear white clothes.

Main features:

• Śvetāmbara monks and nuns wear simple white robes.
• They accept a preserved canon of Jain scriptures known as the Āgamas.
• They believe that women can attain liberation.
• They believe that a Kevalī may still take food.
• Images of Tirthankars may be decorated with eyes, ornaments, and clothing in temple worship traditions.

Śvetāmbara Sub-sects

• Mūrtipūjaka / Derāvāsī
  This is the image-worshipping Śvetāmbara tradition. They worship Tirthankar idols in temples and perform rituals such as pūjā, āratī, and temple ceremonies.
• Sthānakavāsī
  This tradition does not practice idol worship. Followers worship through meditation, prayer, scriptural study, samayik, pratikraman, and discourses. They gather in prayer halls called sthānaks.
• Terāpanth Śvetāmbara
  Founded by Ācārya Bhikṣu. This is a non-idol-worshipping Śvetāmbara tradition. It is known for disciplined organization under one Ācārya and strong emphasis on conduct, restraint, and spiritual discipline.

Main Differences Between Digambara and Śvetāmbara

• Monastic clothing:
  Digambara monks follow the ideal of nudity; Śvetāmbara monks wear white robes.
• Scriptures:
  Śvetāmbaras accept the Āgamas as preserved scriptures; Digambaras believe the original Āgamas were lost.
• Women’s liberation:
  Śvetāmbaras accept that women can attain moksha; Digambaras traditionally hold that a soul must be born male before final liberation.
• Kevalī and food:
  Śvetāmbaras believe a Kevalī may take food; Digambaras believe a Kevalī does not need food.
• Idol form:
  Digambara idols are usually plain, unclothed, and without ornamentation. Śvetāmbara Mūrtipūjaka idols may be decorated.

Other Community and Monastic Lineages

Within these sects and sub-sects, there are also many gacchas, sanghs, lineages, and regional traditions.

For example, within Śvetāmbara Mūrtipūjak tradition, there are gacchas such as:

• Tapā Gaccha
• Kharatara Gaccha
• Tristutik Gaccha
• Añchal Gaccha

These are not separate religions, but monastic or organizational lineages within Jain Dharma.

Spiritual Understanding

Although Jainism has different sects and sub-sects, the core teachings remain the same:

• Ahimsa — non-violence
• Anekāntavāda — many-sided understanding of truth
• Aparigraha — non-possessiveness
• Right Faith, Right Knowledge, Right Conduct — the path to liberation
• Karma theory — bondage and purification of the soul
• Moksha — liberation from the cycle of birth and death

The differences mainly concern practice, scripture, rituals, monastic discipline, and temple worship—not the central goal of purifying the soul and attaining liberation.

Takeaway

Jainism has two main sects: Digambara and Śvetāmbara. Their sub-sects developed due to differences in practice and interpretation, but all authentic Jain traditions honor the Tirthankars and teach the path of non-violence, self-control, karma purification, and moksha.