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THE GENESIS OF THE DIGAMBARA-ŚVETĀMBARA SPLIT 285
are at one and their philosophical background is one and the same. They do not differ on fundamental postulates like the Mahāyānists and the Hīnayānists nor do they vary in approach like the Catholics and the Protestants. It is remarkable that notwithstanding their differences, which have given them the form of two distinct sects, they have preserved a common framework of ideas and doctrines and acted as virtually one community. This unity in diversity has been a notable feature of the Jainas as a religious community and social group.
1.
Margaret Stevensons' analogy of Catholics and Protestants in this connection is not very happy. (Svetāmbaras,' Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics, Vol. XII, p. 123).
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