Jainism has two major ancient sub-traditions:
Digambaras [Sub-sects include Mula Sangh (original community) and Terapanthi, Taranpathi and Bispanthi (these three are modern communities)]
Svetambaras (Sub-sects include Sthanakavasi and Murtipujaka)
There are several other smaller sub-traditions that emerged in the 2nd millennium CE.
Digambara School:
Monks of the Digambara tradition do not wear clothes as this sect believes in complete nudity.
Female monks wear unstitched plain white sarees and are called Aryikas. Digambaras follow all the five constraints (Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Aparigraha and Brahmacharya) as per the teachings of Mahavira, unlike Svetambaras. Bhadrabahu was an exponent of Digambara sect and he moved to Karnataka along with his disciples after predicting a long famine. The earliest record of Digambara beliefs is contained in the Prakrit Suttapahuda of Kundakunda. Digambara Jains believe that women can’t be Tirthankaras and that Malli was a man. Monasticism rules are more rigid under Digambara School.
Svetambara School:
Svetambaras follow the preachings of Prasvanatha, i.e. they believe in only four restraints (except Brahmacharya) to be followed to attain Kevalya. Svetambara believes that the 23rd and 24th Tirthankara did marry, unlike thought by Digambara. Sthulabhadra was a great exponent of this school and stayed in Magadha, unlike Bhadrabahu who went to Karnataka. The monks of Svetambara School can have simple white clothing, a begging bowl, a brush to remove insects from their path, books and writing materials with them. They believe Tirthankaras can be men or women, and say that Malli began her life as a princess.
Svetambara tradition of Jainism indicates five eternal substances in existence:
Soul (jiva),
Matter (pudgala),
Space (akasha),
motion (Dharma) and
rest (Adharma),
unlike Digambaras which add the sixth eternal substance as time (Kala).