Jain schools and branches Jain schools and branches Jainism is an Indian religion which is traditionally believed to be propagated by twenty-four spiritual teachers known as "tirthankara". Broadly, Jainism is divided into two major sects, Digambara and Svetambara. These are further divided into different sub-sects and traditions. While there are differences in practices, the core philosophy and main principles of each sect is same. Traditionally, the original doctrine of Jainism was contained in scriptures called Purva. There were fourteen Purva. These are believed to have originated from Rishabhanatha, the first "tirthankara". There was a twelve-year famine around fourth century BCE. At that time, Chandragupta
History of Jainism other Angas were written down. This is a traditional account of schism. According to Svetambara, there were eight schisms ("Nihvana"). According to "Digambara" tradition, "Ganadhara" knew fourteen "Purva" and eleven "Anga". Knowledge of "Purva" was lost around 436 years after Mahavira and "Anga" were lost around 683 years after Mahavira. The texts that do not belong to "Anga" are called "Angabahyas". There were fourteen "Angabahyas". The first four "Angabahayas", "Samayika", "chaturvimasvika", "Vandana" and "Pratikramana" corresponds to sections of second "Mulasutra" of "Svetambara". The only texts of "Angabahyas" which occurs in "Svetambara" texts are "Dasavaikalika", "Uttaradhyayana" and "Kalpavyavahara". Umaswati's "Tattvartha Sutras"