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Jaina Community-A Social Survey
Ardha-phalakas, developed into the present sect of Svetambaras in 80 A. D.11 Recent researches in Jaina history tend to prove the real existence of Ardhaphalaka sect and to consider the Ardhaphalakas as forerunners of the Svetambaras.12
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Really speaking, one cannot arrive at any definite conclusion from all these mutually conflicting traditions, and hence, it is almost impossible to fix an exact date for this great, schism in the Jaina community. The main point of difference between the two sects was the question of considering whether the practice of nudity was an absolute necessity for achieving salvation. Taking into consideration these facts it seems probable that the separation of the sections of the Jaina Church took place gradually, an individual development going on in both the groups living at a great distance from one another, and that they became aware of their mutual difference about the end of the 1st century A. D.13 In view of this it can safely be asserted that the origin of the two sects cannot be attributed to any specific incident14 which instantly divided the community into two opposite camps.
3. THE TWO MAIN SECTS
It is now necessary to see what is the exact difference between these two sects. Literally Digambara means 'sky-clad' and Svetambara means 'white-robed', i. e., the monks of the Digambaras are naked while those of the Svetambaras wear white clothes. In fact there is very little difference between the two branches as regards the essentials of doctrine. For example, the most authoritative book of the Digambaras, viz., Tattvärthadhigama Sutra by Umasvati, is one of the standard books also of the Svetambaraș. However, there are some major as well as minor tenets on which the two sections are opposed to one another. The and major points of difference between the Digambaras Śvetām baras are as follows:
(i) While the Digambaras believe that a monk who owns any property, i. e., wears clothes, cannot attain salvation : the Svetambaras assert that the practice of complete nudity is not essential to attain liberation.
(ii) The Digambaras hold the view that woman is not entitled to Moksha in this life. On the contrary the Svetambaras believe that women can reach Nirvana in this life.
