Sects of Jainism

           In 298 BC , there was a serious famine in Magadha (South Bihar) leading to a great exodus of many Jain monks to the Deccan and South India ( Shravanbelgola) along with Bhadrabahu and Chandragupta Maurya.  They returned back after 12 years. 

           The leader of the group ,which stayed back at Magadha was Sthulabhadra, When the Jains (Bharabahu and others) returned from South India, they held that complete nudity be an essential part of the teachings of Mahavira, while the Monks in Magadha began to put on white clothes.

Thus arose the two sects Shvetambaras ( white clad ) and Digambaras (sky –clad).

   1.       Shvetambaras (i.e.Those who put on while robes)_ Sthulabhadra

   2.       Digambaras (i.e. those who were stark naked)_ Bhadrabahu.