Shvetambaras

Śvetāmbara, also written Śvetāmbaras or Shvetambaras, refers to one of the two major Jain traditions, named for the white garments traditionally worn by its monks, nuns, and often lay followers. The tradition originated in the early centuries CE and is now the larger Jain community in many parts of western and northern India, with communities worldwide.

Śvetāmbara Jainism shares core Jain beliefs with Digambaras, including non-violence (ahimsa), truth, abstention from stealing, celibacy, and non-attachment. It also upholds the three jewels of Jainism: right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct, and reveres the tirthankaras, especially Mahavira. A key difference lies in monastic attire and some doctrinal developments. Śvetāmbaras maintain that both monks and nuns wear white robes; they accept that women can attain moksha and participate fully in the monastic and lay life. They also preserve a corpus of Jain scriptures known as the Agamas, although different sub-traditions sometimes differ on textual canons.

Within Śvetāmbara practice, there are notable sub-traditions. Murtipujaka temples emphasize image worship and temple rituals; Sthanakvasi groups practice aniconic worship and place emphasis on meditation and symbolic rites rather than idols; Terapanthi is a reform-oriented branch within Śvetāmbara with distinct monastic organization and disciplines. These sub-sects reflect variations in ritual emphasis while maintaining shared Jain ethics and philosophy.

Geographically, Śvetāmbaras are concentrated in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and parts of northern and central India, with diaspora communities worldwide. They coexist with the Digambaras, from whom they differ mainly in monastic dress, textual canons, and certain doctrinal and social positions.