Digambara

Digambara (/dɪˈɡʌmbərə/; "sky-clad") is one of the two major schools of Jainism, the other being Śvetāmbara (white-clad). The Sanskrit word Digambara means "sky-clad", referring to their traditional monastic practice of neither possessing nor wearing any clothes. This practice dates back to the teachings of lord Mahavira, who emphasized the importance of complete detachment and spiritual growth through renouncing material possessions, including clothing.

The famous idol of Shree Mahavir Swami at Shri Digambar Jain Atishay Kshetra, Shri Mahavir Ji depicting Digambar Iconography.

The Digambara and Śvetāmbara traditions have some differences, including their dress codes, temple practices, and views on who can attain spiritual liberation. These differences have shaped their unique histories and communities.

Today, Digambara Jain communities live in many parts of India, such as Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. Their traditions continue to be an important part of Jain history and culture.

Nomenclature

The word Digambara is made from two Sanskrit words: dik (दिक्), meaning "space" or "sky," and ambara (अम्बर), meaning "garment." It refers to those whose clothing is the sky itself, representing a simple and pure way of living.

Core philosophy

Main article: Aparigraha

Jainism teaches the importance of non-attachment, meaning not holding onto things we own or even our own emotions. For monks and nuns, this means having nothing at all, while everyday people should only keep what they truly need and give the rest away. This helps keep the mind clear and kind.

Jain temple painting explaining Anekantavada with Blind men and an elephant

Another key idea in Jainism is non-violence, or ahimsa. This means never hurting any living thing, whether it’s a tiny insect or a large animal. Jains believe that hurting others harms not just the other being, but also our own soul. They practice this in all ways — through actions, words, and even thoughts.

Jainism also teaches anekāntavāda, which means that truth has many sides. Since we can’t fully explain everything with words, we should remember that there are many ways to see the world. This idea encourages respect for different views, while still holding strong to the core beliefs of Jainism.

Main article: Ahimsa in Jainism

Main article: Anekantavada

History and Influence

The longest inscription at the site, and the earliest known Tamil-Brāhmī inscription. It records the gift by the Pandya king Neṭuñceḻiyaṉ of a monastery to the senior Jain monk Nanta-siri Kuvaṉ.

The Digambara tradition is one of the two main branches of Jainism. It began as a separate path from early Jain groups. Over time, it gained support from kings and rulers, especially in Southern India.

Digambaras and another Jain group, called Śvetāmbara, have different views on how their tradition began. Digambaras believe they are the original followers of Mahavira, while Śvetāmbaras think they are the true followers. These differences happened many years after Mahavira’s time. Important Digambara teachers and writers helped create lasting art and buildings. Today, the Digambara community includes several smaller groups with their own practices and beliefs.

Scripture and literature

The Digambara sect of Jainism has its own set of important books, different from the Śvetāmbara sect. Digambaras believe that the original teachings of Mahavira were lost and cannot be fully recorded today. They value texts written by later teachers, such as the Ṣaṭkhaṅḍāgama, which they consider to hold important ideas about the soul and Karma.

Digambara scriptures are organized into four groups: stories of important figures, texts about the universe and karma, guides for behavior, and philosophical discussions. Some well-known books include the Mahapurana, which tells stories of Jain leaders, and the Tattvärtha Sutra, which explores key beliefs. These texts were written by many teachers between the years 100 and 800 AD and are studied by Digambara Jains today.

Practices

Adinatha image (Badami caves)

The lifestyle of a Digambara monk follows strict rules called mulacara. These rules include five great vows, five restraints, and other important guidelines. Digambara monks do not wear clothes because they believe owning things creates attachment.

Digambara nuns, called aryikas, do wear clothes. They are considered to be less advanced than monks and are believed to need to be reborn as men to achieve the highest spiritual goals. Digambara Jains worship nude statues of holy teachers called tirthankaras in special postures.

No.	Guna (attribute)	Remarks
Mahavratas- Five Great Vows	1. Ahimsa	Neither injure, nor ask, nor encourage another to injure any living being through actions, words or thoughts. This includes injury caused by cooking, starting a fire to cook, plucking a fruit, or any conduct that harms living beings
	2. Satya	To speak the truth, to remain silent if his speaking the truth will lead to injury to living beings
	3. Asteya	Not to take anything unless given, and not accepting anything more than what is necessary and needed
	4. Brahmacharya	No sex, no natural or unnatural sexual gratification through action (viewing, participating, encouraging), words (hearing, reciting, reading, writing), or thoughts
	5. Aparigraha	Renunciation of all worldly things, property, want, and all possessions external to soul
Samiti- Regulations	6. irya	Walk carefully on much trodden paths, after viewing land to the extent of four cubits (2 yards). Do not walk in the dark or on the grass to avoid accidental injury to other living beings. He should not run to save himself if charged by a wild animal or if a violent person is about to injure him, as running can cause injury to other living beings.
	7. bhasha	Avoid slander, back-biting, false speech. He must avoid intentionally long or short statements that mislead or help create misunderstanding, doubts, misinformation, hypocrisy, bad blood or conceit in his audience.
	8. esana	To never accept objectionable food nor eat more palatable items from those received.
	9. adana-nikshepana	Carefulness in the handling the pichchi (feather bundle to remove insects in his path) and kamandalu (hollow vegetable gourd to filter water)
	10. pratishṭapan	To excrete body waste after carefully brushing aside insects and other living beings.
Indrinirodha	11–15. Control of the five senses	Shedding all attachment and aversion towards the sense objects pertaining to touch (sparśana), taste (rasana), smell (ghrāṇa), sight (cakśu), and hearing (śrotra). The sadhu (monk) must eradicate all desires and activities that please the mind through his senses. He must end all ties, relationships and entanglements with his family and friends before he renounced.
Avasyakas – Essential observations	16. Sāmāyika	Practice equanimous dispassion towards everything for eighteen ghari a day (1 ghari = about 24 minutes)
	17. stuti	Salute the divine (Tirthankaras)
	18. vandana	Medidate upon and adore acharyas, gurus, idols and images of gods
	19. Pratikramana	Confession, repentance and self-censure for having violated any vows and rules of conduct; dissociate one's soul from any virtuous or evil karmas, in the current or past lives.
	20. Pratikhayan	Recite mantra that lists and promises future renunciation of food, drink and comforts and to forfend future faults
	21. Kayotsarga	Giving up attachment to the body for a limited period of time. Typically, this is a standing naked and motionless posture of a form common in Bahubali iconography.
Niyama- Rules	22. adantdhavan	Never clean teeth
	23. bhushayan	Sleep on hard ground
	24. asnāna	Never bathe
	25. stithi-bhojan	Eat food in standing posture, accept food in open palms (no utensils)
	26. ahara	Eat food once a day, drink water only when eating meal
	27. keśa-lonch	To periodically pluck all hair on his body by his own hand.
	28. nudity	Remain completely nude all the time (digambara)

Comparison with Śvetāmbara Tradition

In 1124 CE, a significant debate took place between the Śvetāmbara and Digambara traditions of Jainism. This debate happened during the rainy season stay in Karnavati, now part of Ahmedabad. Ācārya Vādidevasūri, a Śvetāmbara monk, faced off against Kumudcandra, a Digambara monk, in the court of Jayasimha Siddharaja in Patan. The debate was arranged after Kumudcandra and his followers harassed a nun in Vādidevasūri’s group.

The debate covered many topics important to Jain beliefs. One key difference discussed was the role of women in achieving spiritual liberation. Śvetāmbaras believe women can achieve liberation through ascetic practices, while Digambaras believe women must be reborn as men to achieve this. Vādidevasūri, well-versed in Jain scriptures, won the debate, leading to the Digambaras being asked to leave the kingdom of Gujarat.

These debates highlight long-standing differences between the two Jain traditions, including views on ancient teachings, the lives of spiritual leaders, and spiritual practices.

Criticism

Padmanabh Jaini, a well-known scholar of Jainism, has offered several critiques of the Digambara tradition. He suggests that the focus on extreme practices, such as going without clothes, can take away from spiritual growth. He also points out that the strict separation between monks and everyday people may limit spiritual opportunities for regular followers. Additionally, Jaini questions the Digambara reliance on a small set of scriptures, arguing it creates division within Jainism.

Nalini Balbir, another expert on Jainism, criticizes the Digambara belief that women cannot achieve spiritual freedom in their current life. She sees this as unfair and not supported by older Jain teachings. Balbir believes this view goes against the core Jain idea that everyone has the potential for spiritual growth. Scholars from other religions, such as Buddhism, Islam, and Sikhism, also disapprove of the practice of public nudity by Digambara monks.