Final answer:
Certain interpretations of Digambara Jainism believe that women cannot achieve moksha in their current birth due to the requirement of complete renunciation that includes nudity, which is traditionally deemed not possible for women. Indian religions, in general, have a history of patriarchal structures, with Buddhism also displaying gender inequality despite offering better status to women than earlier Brahmanist teachings. The act of sati in Indian patriarchal culture further emphasizes the extreme marginalization of women.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Jain sect that holds the belief that women have no chance of achieving release and are to be regarded as the greatest of all temptations to a man is not explicitly stated in the texts. However, such misogynistic views are often attributed to certain interpretations within Digambara Jainism, one of the two main sects of Jainism. Digambara monks believe that complete renunciation includes not wearing any clothes, a practice which is not possible for women, according to traditional Digambara beliefs, rendering them unable to achieve moksha (liberation) until they are reborn as men.
Additionally, the historical context of Indian religions shows that patriarchal structures often relegated women to subservient roles. While Buddhism promised an elevated status and greater participation for women compared to Brahmanist traditions, it also exhibited patriarchal characteristics, such as segregating nuns from monks and giving women fewer privileges. This patriarchy was not limited to religious practices; societal norms deeply reflected gender inequality, as seen in the extreme act of sati, where a widow might immolate herself, partly due to the belief that her life held no value without her husband.
In contrast, there are instances in ancient Indian texts that depict women achieving a high level of enlightenment and learning. Yet, these instances were exceptions, and over time, Indian culture became more patriarchal, confining women to dependent roles.