Jain monasticism Jain monasticism Jain monasticism refers to the order of monks and nuns in the Jain community. The term "nirgrantha" ("bondless") was used for Jain monks in the past. The monastic practices of two major sects ("Digambara" and "Śvētāmbara") vary greatly, but the major principles of both are identical. "Digambaras" use the word "" for male monastics and "aryika" for female monastics. "Digambara monks" are also called "nirgrantha" (without bonds). "Śvētāmbaras" use the word "sadhvi"s for female monastics. Historians believe that a united Jain "sangha" (community) existed before 367 BCE, about 160 years after the "moksha" (liberation) of Mahavira. The community
Bispanthi Vidyananda, Acharya Vardhamansagar, Acharya Vishudsagar are regarded to be Bispanthis. Acharya Vidyasagar, a disciple of Acharya Gyansagar, is considered to be a Terapanthis, even though Acharya Gyansagar himself derived his tradition from Acharya Santisagar. However most Digambar monks do not use actually use either labels. Aryika pramuk Gyanmati Mataji and her sangha regards itself to be representing Bispanth. Traditionally, Jains have had two prime sects of Digambara and Svetambara. They were further subdivided into others on their thought schools. Where Digambar Terapanth professes 13 ways, the Bispanthis professed 20 ways to attain liberation. ("Bis+panthi = Twenty+Follower of a way.") Bispanthi