Liberation in the present era requires total non-possession including nudity, therefore women cannot attain moksha in a female body and would first take a male birth, isn’t that sexist against women? Why can’t women be nude in the sa

Thank you for asking this clearly. In Jain Dharma the soul (jiva) is genderless and equal. Any jiva can become a Siddha. The differences you mention come from how two Jain traditions interpret the vows needed for liberation in this era.

What both traditions agree on

• All souls are equal; no soul is “inferior” due to gender.
• Progress depends on Right Faith, Right Knowledge, and Right Conduct, not on social rank or gender.
• Women can and do reach very high spiritual states; they are deeply respected in Jain history and practice.

Where the traditions differ

• Digambara view: For a muni, total non-possession (aparigraha) is expressed as complete nudity. Because Digambara aryikās (nuns) do not practice nudity, Digambara acharyas hold that a woman will complete the path after a subsequent birth as a man. This is presented as a rule of ascetic conduct, not as a claim of spiritual inferiority of women’s souls.
• Śvetāmbara view: Clothing used without attachment does not block liberation. Women can attain kevalajñāna and moksha in a female body. Śvetāmbaras also revere Mallīnātha as a female Tirthankara, affirming women’s direct eligibility for liberation.

Why Digambaras do not allow women to be nude

• In the Digambara monastic code, only munis are sky-clad. Aryikās wear a single simple white cloth. Traditional reasons given include safeguarding vows like brahmacharya (for self and for others who may be affected), practical protection for lifelong wandering, and the sect’s interpretation of what constitutes permissible conduct for women ascetics in this era. Thus, aryikās observe aparigraha internally while keeping minimal cloth; munis express it through nudity. This is a discipline rule, not a statement of lesser worth.

Is this “sexist”?

• From inside Jain philosophy, the claim is about forms of conduct required for liberation in this time-cycle, not about the value of women. The soul’s capacity is identical in all. The Śvetāmbara tradition explicitly rejects any limitation and affirms women’s immediate eligibility for moksha. Even in Digambara, the teaching is that a woman’s soul attains the same liberation, with the only difference being a final male birth per their code of conduct.

If you wish to read more in very simple language:

• Why monks are nude (Digambara)
• Do Digambaras think women are inferior?
• Sādhvī (nun) dress code across sects
• Mallī Kumārī/Mallinātha and the sect difference

Essence: Jain Dharma upholds complete spiritual equality of all souls. The debate is about the external form of aparigraha required for final liberation in this era, not about women’s worth or capacity.