Śvetāmbara

Śvetāmbara is one of the two primary branches of Jainism. The term comes from a Sanskrit word meaning "white-clad." This name describes the practice of its ascetics, who wear white clothes.

This practice distinguishes them from the Digambara branch. Digambara followers are called "sky-clad" because their practitioners go nude. Śvetāmbaras do not hold the belief that nudity is required for ascetics. These two traditions possess historical differences in dress, temple styles, and iconography. They also differ regarding the status of Jain nuns and their preferred sacred texts.

Most Śvetāmbaras belong to the murtipujaka sect. This term refers to those who actively perform devotional puja, or worship, in temples. They worship images or idols of Tirthankaras and important Jain demi-gods or demi-goddesses.

This is the oldest sub-tradition within the Śvetāmbara faith. To manage their large numbers, the community created administrative sub-divisions called gacchas. Historically, 84 different gacchas were established. Most of these groups are now extinct. Only four survive today: Tapa Gaccha, Kharatara Gaccha, Parshvachandra Gaccha, and Achal Gaccha. The Tapa Gaccha is the largest, containing the most monks and followers.

Śvetāmbaras view themselves as the original followers of Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara. They maintain historical lineages known as pattavalis. These records trace the lineage of chief monks, or acharyas, back to Mahavira.

The Kalpa Sūtra, a canonical scripture, contains a popular pattavali. This text states that Sthulabhadra was the successor of Bhadrabāhu. Śvetāmbaras believe both men were white-clad monks. The Digambara sect rejects these specific historical claims. One unique gaccha, the Upkeśa Gaccha, traced its lineage to the 23rd Tirthankara, Parshvanatha, rather than Mahavira. This group included founders of the Oswal and Porwal communities before it went extinct in the 1930s.

Śvetāmbara literature is divided into canonical and non-canonical categories. The canonical scriptures, known as Āgamas, define Jain cosmology and philosophy. They also govern the conduct of monks, nuns, and the laity. These 45 scriptures were mostly written in Ardhamagadhi Prakrit.

Originally, knowledge was passed down through a preceptor-disciple system called guru-shishya parampara. However, a 12-year famine caused the memory of many monks to weaken. Much of the knowledge was lost during this time. To preserve the teachings, a Great Council was held at Vallabhi in 454 CE. Led by Devardhigani Kshamashramana, this council codified the 45 scriptures used today.

The Āgamas include several distinct parts. The Twelve Angās, or "limbs," are foundational texts. These include the Āyāraṃga, which focuses on monastic conduct, and the Nāyā-dhamma-kahāo, which contains religious stories. There are also Twelve Upāṅgas, which are auxiliary limbs. These cover topics like the sun, the moon, and the Jain universe. Additionally, there are Six Chedasūtras regarding the behavior of monastics. The canon also includes Four Mūlasūtras, which are fundamental works for new monastics. Finally, there are Two Cūlikasūtras and Ten Paiṇṇayasūtras. One notable lost text is the Drstivada, which contained the 14 purvas.

Non-canonical literature includes many other important works. These consist of commentaries, biographies, and devotional hymns. For example, Hemachandra wrote the Trisasti-shalakapurusa-caritra, which contains biographies of 63 illustrious men.

Other works include treatises on grammar and dictionaries for languages like Sanskrit and Prakrit. Devotional hymns, known as stavan or stuti, are also widely used. These texts help expand the knowledge base of the community through mythology and linguistic study.

The Śvetāmbara community is organized into the chaturvidha sangha. This congregation consists of four parts: monks, nuns, male lay followers (śrāvakas), and female lay followers (śrāvikās).

Each group has different religious practices. For instance, monks and nuns cannot perform puja of idols because they are not permitted to bathe. Since scriptures require a person to be clean and bathed for puja, monastics must abstain. Before initiation, an ascetic-to-be performs a final puja and donates all worldly possessions. Upon initiation, they take the Five Vows and ceremonially tear out their hair. They are also given a rajoharan by their preceptor. Finally, Śvetāmbara monastics do not touch persons of the opposite gender.