What is the difference between Digambar and Shewatamber sects in Jainism?

Answer 1

One can point many differences between Shwetamber and Digamber sects in Jainism. However, there are certain noteworthy differences between the two based primarily on the ideologies:

1. The word Digamber literally means 'sky clad'. This is because Digamber monks do not wear clothes, and remain naked, in accordance with the principle of non-possession. The word Shwetamber literally means 'white clad'. Shwetamber monks wear white clothes, as they believe there is nothing in Jain scriptures against wearing clothes (while defining the nature of possession). However, both sects do agree that Mahavira (Last Tirthankara) himself was naked.

2. Liberation of Women: Since women are not allowed to leave their clothes, Digamberas belive (and also due to some other reasons), that women cannot achieve 'liberation' (from the cycle of life and death). Shwetamberas do not hold this view (since women are also 'white clad'), and they believe that nuns can also achieve liberation. In this context, I also want to point out that Shwetamberas, contrary to Digambers, believe that 19th Tirthankar, Mallinath was a female. This issue is usually highly debated among the two sects and I wish not to go to any further details.

3. Dispute regarding Agams: 'Agams' are the main (authoritative) texts in Jainism (as they contain the words of Mahavira). There is a dispute in the two sects as to how many and which of the 'agams' have survived and which have been lost with time. This is because, these texts were compiled at a much later period after the liberation of Mahavira, and it is difficult to keep the entire literature committed to memory.

4. Idols in temples: Digamber Jain Idols are usually shown in dhyan-mudra (meditation pose), with eyes focusing on top of nose. The idols depict the plain naked human form, in its true beauty without any external additions. If the statue is in padmasam (a certain sitting/meditating pose), the left palm is on the right palm. They typically represent meditating pose of Tirthankaras before liberation. However, Shwetamber idols have wide open 'chakshus' (eyes), looking at the outer world (and you). They usually have some ornaments (many a times some precious metals) over them (in contrast with the plain Digamber statues). In padmasan pose, the right palm is on the left palm.

It is also noteworthy that all sub-sects of Digamber sect are idol worshipers, while all sub-sects of Shwetamber sect are not idol-worshipers.

5. Life of Mahavira: Digamberas believe that Mahavira was celibate, but Shwetamberas belive that young Mahavira was married to princess Yashoda and had a daughter. The two sects also differ on the question of who the real mother of Mahavira was.

6. Origin of two Sects: It is of no doubt that both sects claim their sect to be the oldest and the authentic one and each have a story of the origin of other sect. However, there is no doubt that the division came out much after Mahavira was liberated, and in this context neither version of the story is very old.

7. Navkar Mantra: Navkar (or Namokar in Prakrit) Mantra is the prime Mantra of Jainism (composed of 9 lines). Digamberas (and also Sthanakavaasis, a sub-sect of Shwetamberas) believe that only five opening lines are the main part of the Mantra and other four are just a complement, describing the qualities of Mantra itself. Shwetamberas believe that all 9 lines constitute the main formal Mantra. There are also some other differences as well, regarding pronunciation of certain words in the Mantra, however they are more complicated.

Their are other differences as well, but they are minor and sometimes more complicated. I guess, points mentioned above suffice.