Sadhu the Jain householders support the monastic community. The "sadhus" and "sadhvis" are intertwined with the Jain lay society, perform "Murtipuja" (Jina idol worship) and lead festive rituals, and they are organized in a strongly hierarchical monastic structure. There are differences between the Digambara and Svetambara sadhus and sadhvi traditions. The Digambara sadhus own no clothes as a part of their interpretation of Five vows, and they live their ascetic austere lives in nakedness. The Digambara sadhvis wear white clothes. The Svetambara sadhus and sadhvis both wear white clothes. According to a 2009 publication by Harvey J. Sindima, Jain monastic community
Digambara the last of them being "Āchārya" Bhadrabahu. Spiritual lineage of heads of monastic orders is known as "Pattavali". Digambara tradition consider Dharasena to be the 33rd teacher in succession of Gautama, 683 years after the "nirvana" of Mahavira. The word "Digambara" is a combination of two Sanskrit words: "dik" (दिक्) (directions) and "ambara" (अम्बर) (clothes), referring to those whose garments are of the element that fills the four quarters of space. "Digambara" monks do not wear any clothes as it is considered to be "parigraha" (possession), which ultimately leads to attachment. A "Digambara" monk has 28 "mūla guņas" (primary attributes).