The founder of the Svetambara sect is Sudharma. Svetambara means, "white clad," or, "white robed ones." Thus, Svetambara monastics where white robes and carry a small bowl to carry the alms they recieve. Because Svetambaras do wear robes, it is possibele to initiate women. The number of Svetambara nuns far outnumbers the amount of Svetambara monks.²

Exacltly when the Digambara/Svetambara split occured is difficut to determine but Svetambaras say that it occured 609 years after Mahavira's death. They say that a person named Sivabhuti initiated himself into a new teaching in immitation of Mahavira. Sivabhuti and his sister both walked naked immitating the complete renunciation of wordly goods that Mahavira once had.⁴ From here, the Digambara sect was supposedly established. The Digambaras, however, have their own version of when the split occured. Regardless of these two conflicting accounts, it is clear that the split in monastic practice started early and that by 5CE it was irreversible.

• Dress Codes: Svetambaras believe that it is okay for both men and women monastics to wear robes and carry begging bowls.⁴

• Liberation of Women: In the Sveatambara tradition is it possible for women to be ordained because they are clothed and thus, women can achieve moksa.¹¹ Svetambaras agree that their chances are less than that of their male counterparts because the nature of their bodies makes them less ahimsic.²

• Content of the Scripture:Disputes between Svetambaras and Digambaras over the sacred texts began in 3BC at the council of Pataliputra and continued until 501AD at the council of Valabhi. Although attempts were made, nothing was resolved.¹² Eventually each group declared its own sacred texts.

VI. References

1. Dundas, Paul. The Jains.New York: Routledge, 1992. p.13.
2. Monius, Anne E. Lectures for RELH 314, The Jain Tradition. Spring Semester 2000.
3. Stevenson,J.The Kalpa Sutra and Nava Tattva.Varanasi: Bharat-Bharati,1972.p.35-39.
4. Dundas, Paul. The Jains.New York: Routledge, 1992. p.40-41
5. Shah, Natubhai. Jainism. The world of Conquerors. Sussex Academc Press. 1998. p.11-19.
6. Jash, Pranabanabda. Some Aspects of Jainism in Eastern India. Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers, New Dehli. 1989. p18.
7. Jash, Pranabanabsa. Some Aspects of Jainism in Eastern India. Mushiram Manoharlal publishers, New Dehli. 1989. p.31-31.
8. Dundas, Paul. The Jains. New York: Routledge, 1992. p80.
9. Dundas, Paul. The Jains. New York: Routledge, 1992. p83.
10. Shah, Natubhai. Jainsm. The World f Conquerors. Sussex Academic Press, 1998. p6.
11. Dundas, Paul. The Jains. New York: Routledge, 1992. p49.
12. Jain, Muni. Jaina Sects and Schools. Concept Publishing, Delhi. 1975. p44-45.
13. Dundas, Paul. The Jains. New York: Routledge, 1992. p44.
14. Padmanabh, S.J. Gender and Salvation Delhi: Munshiram, 1991. p7.
15. Jash, Pranabananda. Some Aspects of Jainism in Eastern India. Munshiram Manoraylal Publishers. 1989. p22-25.