Parshvanatha "ganadharas", such as in the Digambara text "Avasyaka niryukti". They believe that Svayambhu was the chief male mendicant ("sadhu"). Svetambara texts such as "Samavayanga" and "Kalpa-sutra" mention Pushpakula as the chief female mendicant ("aryika", "sadhvi") among the female followers of Parshvanatha, whereas the "Digambara" text "Tiloyapannati" states she was Suloka or Sulocana. The "Nirgranthas" (fetter-less) monastic tradition started by Parshvanatha was influential in ancient India, with the parents of Mahavira belonging to it as lay householders supporting the ascetics. According to the "Svetambara" Jain tradition, Parshva and the ascetic community he established followed a Fourfold Restraint. In contrast, Mahavira stipulated
Jain literature from the first "tirthankara" Rishabhanatha. The "Digambara" sect believes that there were 26 "Agam‑sutras" (12 "Ang‑agams" + 14 "Ang‑bahya‑agams"). However, they were gradually lost starting from one hundred fifty years after Lord Mahavir's "nirvana". Hence, they do not recognize the existing Agam-sutras (which are recognized by the "Svetambara" sects) as their authentic scriptures. In "Digambara" tradition, two main texts, three commentaries on main texts, and four "Anuyogas" (exposition) consisting of more than 20 texts are followed. These scriptures were written by great "Acharyas" (scholars) from 100 to 1000 AD using the original "Agama Sutras" as the basis for their work.