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. Digambaras use the word for male monastics and aryika for female monastics. Śvētāmbaras use the word sadhvis for female monastics. Another ancient term, samaṇa "striver", is used mainly by the Sthānakavāsī. The monastic practises of two major sects Digambara and Śvētāmbara sect vary greatly but the main principles of both the sects are same.