Followers and
Major Sects

Mahavir attracted people from all walks of life : rich and poor, kings and commoners, men and women, princes and priests, touchables and untouchables. Mahavir proclaimed that in matters of spiritual advancement, both men and women are equal. Many women followed Mahavir's path and renounced the world in search of ultimate truth and happiness. The most significant contribution of Jainism in the social field was the establishment of social equality among the four classes (Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra) including untouchables prevalent in society.

Mahavir organized his followers, into a four-fold order, namely monks (Sadhu), nuns (Sadhvi), laymen (Shravak) and laywomen (Shravika). This order is known as Jain Sangh. A few centuries after Mahavir's nirvana, the Jain religious order grew more and more complex. Eventually two major sects were established. In the Digambar sect monks wear no clothes, while the Swetambar monks wear white clothes. The fundamental views on ethics and philosophy are identical in both sects.

Each major sect has many sub-sects including those who emphasize worshipping image symbols of Jinas (Murtipujak), while other sects and self-study practices (Non-murtipujak). Later on some followers have introduced ritualistic complexities that almost place Lord Mahavir and other Tirthankars closely parallel the worship of Hindu religious deities.

"I am not Rama. I have no desire for material things. Like Jina I want to establish peace within myself."

-Yoga Vasistha,
Ch. 15, Sloka 8

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