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.