Answer

Applying Saptabhaṅgī — the Jain sevenfold method of conditional predication — to the question “Can a woman achieve liberation?” gives a nuanced answer:

• From the Śvetāmbara Jain tradition: yes, a woman can attain liberation.
• From the Digambara Jain tradition: a woman cannot attain final liberation in a female body; she must first be reborn as a male and then attain moksha.

So, according to Anekāntavāda, the answer depends on the standpoint — naya — being used.

Explanation

Saptabhaṅgī expresses truth through seven conditional viewpoints, each beginning with syāt, meaning “from a certain standpoint.”

Applied to this question:

• 1. Syād asti — In some respect, she can.
  From the Śvetāmbara standpoint, women are capable of attaining kevalajñāna and moksha. The example traditionally given is Mahāvīra Bhagavān’s nun-disciple Candanā, and Śvetāmbaras also accept the 19th Tīrthaṅkara, Mallinātha, as female.
• 2. Syān nāsti — In some respect, she cannot.
  From the Digambara standpoint, liberation requires complete renunciation including nudity, which they hold is not possible for women. Therefore, a woman cannot attain moksha while remaining in a female body.
• 3. Syād asti ca nāsti ca — In some respect, she can and cannot.
  She can attain liberation according to one Jain tradition, and cannot attain it in the female body according to another Jain tradition.
• 4. Syād avaktavyaḥ — In some respect, it is indescribable.
  From the ultimate viewpoint, the soul itself is neither male nor female. Gender belongs to the body, not to the pure soul. Therefore, speaking of a “woman soul” attaining liberation is limited by worldly language.
• 5. Syād asti ca avaktavyaḥ — In some respect, she can, and it is indescribable.
  Conventionally, Śvetāmbara tradition says a woman can attain liberation. Ultimately, however, liberation belongs to the soul, which transcends bodily gender.
• 6. Syān nāsti ca avaktavyaḥ — In some respect, she cannot, and it is indescribable.
  Conventionally, Digambara tradition says a woman cannot attain liberation in a female body. Ultimately, the pure soul is beyond male and female categories.
• 7. Syād asti ca nāsti ca avaktavyaḥ — In some respect, she can, cannot, and is indescribable.
  From different standpoints: she can according to Śvetāmbara doctrine; she cannot in the female body according to Digambara doctrine; and ultimately the liberated soul is beyond gender.

Spiritual Understanding

Jain Dharma teaches that the jīva is inherently capable of liberation because its true nature is infinite knowledge, perception, bliss, and energy.

The disagreement is not about whether the soul is spiritually capable. Both traditions accept that every soul has the potential for moksha. The difference is about whether liberation can occur directly from a female human body.

• Śvetāmbara view: female embodiment does not prevent final liberation.
• Digambara view: the female body cannot be the immediate final birth before liberation.

Takeaway

Through Saptabhaṅgī, Jain Dharma does not force a one-sided answer. It shows that:

From one standpoint, a woman can attain liberation; from another, she cannot in that body; and from the highest spiritual standpoint, liberation belongs to the genderless soul.