Digambar vs Shwetambar: what to know before a Jain marriage
Digambar and Shwetambar are the two main traditions of Jainism. Both follow the teachings of the twenty-four Tirthankaras, and both hold ahimsa (non-violence), anekantavada (many-sidedness) and aparigraha (non-possession) at the centre of life. This guide is for families who are matching profiles and want a clear, respectful picture. It does not rank one tradition above another, and individual families and Samaj may practise differently from what is described here.
Free Android app for Jain families, by The Jain Religion.
What do Digambar and Shwetambar share?
- Faith in the Tirthankaras, with Lord Mahavir as the last Tirthankara.
- The Navkar Mantra and the five vows as the basis of conduct.
- A strong vegetarian ethic, avoiding food that harms many living beings.
- Festivals such as Mahavir Jayanti and Diwali, and a calendar of fasts and vows.
- Respect for monks and nuns, and the importance of the Sangh.
How do Digambar and Shwetambar differ?
Differences are in some beliefs, in the way monks live and in some forms of worship. In broad terms:
- Digambar monks do not wear clothes; Shwetambar monks and nuns wear white clothes.
- The traditions follow different scriptures and have different views about the preservation of the ancient Agamas.
- They differ on some questions of belief, including whether a woman can attain liberation in her present life; different traditions answer this differently.
- Images of the Tirthankaras are usually shown unadorned in Digambar temples, and are often adorned in Shwetambar Murtipujak temples.
- Names and timing of the main annual festival differ. Shwetambar families observe Paryushan, usually followed by Samvatsari. Digambar families observe Das Lakshan, ten days of virtues, usually soon after. Exact dates differ from year to year.
What are the main Jain sub-sects?
Digambar
- Bispanthi: temple worship with a ritual tradition that has historically included Bhattarakas.
- Terapanthi (Digambar): temple worship that avoids some of the offerings used in the Bispanthi tradition.
- Taranpanth: a tradition, associated with Taran Swami, that centres worship on scriptures rather than images.
- Other traditions, including followers of Kanji Swami (Kanji Panth).
Shwetambar
- Murtipujak: worship of images in temples. Many families follow a Gaccha, such as Tapa Gaccha or Kharatar Gaccha.
- Sthanakvasi: do not worship images, and gather in sthanaks for prayer and listening to monks.
- Terapanthi (Shwetambar): a tradition that also does not worship images, led by a single Acharya.
These are simplified descriptions. If a detail matters for your family, ask your Guruji or Panditji.
How do food and daily practice differ?
Both traditions are vegetarian, and most devout families also avoid jamikand (root vegetables like onion, garlic, potato) and eating after sunset (chauvihar). How strictly this is followed varies by family far more than by sect. Practices such as visiting the temple daily, doing samayik, fasting on tithis or doing pratikraman also vary by family. When you compare two profiles, look at the details a family chooses, not only the label "Digambar" or "Shwetambar".
Can a Digambar and a Shwetambar marry? What do families discuss?
Marriages between Digambar and Shwetambar families, or between sub-sects, do happen. Some families welcome them and some prefer to stay within their tradition. Points that usually come up:
- Temple and worship: which temple the couple will visit, and whether idol worship is part of the home.
- Food and kitchen: whether the household will follow chauvihar, jamikand rules and other restrictions in the same way.
- Festivals and fasts: how Paryushan and Das Lakshan will be observed, and the dates the family follows.
- Religious education of children: which tradition the children will be brought up in, and what rituals the families expect at birth, naming and weddings.
- Wedding rituals: families may follow different customs, and it helps to agree early which will be used.
- Support from elders: honest conversation with parents and grandparents often matters more than the label.
A short list of questions to explore is in Questions before marriage.
How do I set sect preferences when I search?
On a profile you can state your sect and sub-sect and also say whether you are open to another one. Being honest about this saves time for everyone. If you are open, say what you consider essential (for example vegetarian home and chauvihar) rather than leaving the field blank. See Jain rishta checklist for the rest of the checklist.
How do I find matches by sect?
Jain Matrimony lets you search Digambar and Shwetambar profiles with sub-sect, diet and level of practice. Learn more at Jain Matrimony.
Religious, astrological and legal points in this guide are indicative and general. Please consult your Guruji or Panditji, and a qualified adviser for legal or immigration questions.