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In the tradition, they had manifested and infused new life through their intense renunciatory personality in the mild or moderate path of renunciation. Many ascetics of the Parshvanath lineage, as well as early laypersons who held opposing or indifferent views, came together under the leadership of Lord Mahavira. Lord Mahavira, with his characteristic generosity and profound insight, ascertained the places for both factions in his order—one being entirely naked and profoundly committed, while the other was moderate and not completely naked. There were slight differences regarding absolute nudity or otherwise and in other practices, yet, due to the personality of the Lord, it did not assume the form of opposition. The root of the contemporary distinction between Digambara and Shvetambara lies in this ancient synthesis of intense and moderate renunciation.
In that ancient time, words like Digambara and Shvetambara were not present in Jain tradition. However, terms indicative of different practices such as naked, achela (Uttaradhyayan, 23.13, 29), Jinakalpika, panipratigraha (Kalpasutra, 9.28), and panipatras were associated with the faction of intense renunciation, while sachal, pratigrahdhari (Kalpasutra, 9.31), sthavirakalpa (Kalpasutra, 9.63), etc., were found for the faction of moderate renunciation.
1. Acharanga, Sutra 178.
2. Kalasavesiyaputta (Bhagwati, 19), Kesi (Uttaradhyayan, Adhyayan 23), Udakapedhalaputta (Sutrakritanga, 2.7), Gangeya (Bhagwati, 9.32) etc. For specifics, see – ‘Uthaan’ of Mahavira, p. 58. Some disciples had even accepted nudity along with Pancha Mahavrata and Pratikramana, such mentions are preserved in the scriptures to this day. For example, see Bhagwati, 1.9.
3. The Acharanga describes both types of monks, sachal and achela. For descriptions of achela monks, refer to the Sutras from 183 onwards in the first Skandha of the Shruta. For the clothing-related conduct of sachal monks, the 5th study of the second Skandha of the Shruta should be consulted. For an interesting description of how both sachal and achela monks overcome attachment, see – Acharanga, 18.
4. See – Uttaradhyayan, Adhikaran 23.