A History of Indian Literature v2.c20.s2.2

v2.c20.s2.2

The most important schism within the Jaina religion, namely, into the two great sects of the Śvetāmbaras, *i.e.*, "those clad in white", and the Digambaras, *i.e.*, "those clad in air" or "naked", occurred as early as in the first century A.D. The collective term given by the Jainas to their sacred books, is Siddhānta or Āgama. Both sects are unanimous in calling the twelve Aṅgas, *i.e.*, "limbs" (of the body of the religion) the first and most important part of their Canon. Hitherto, however, we have a detailed knowledge only of the Siddhānta of the Śvetāmbaras. It consists of the following texts:—