Final answer:
The Svetambara sect of Jainism might be perceived as more popular due to its inclusive stance towards women, less austere practices such as wearing white clothes, a strong monastic community involved in education and manuscript preservation, and significant presence in economically influential regions like Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Svetambara sect is one of the two main traditions of Jainism, the other being the Digambara sect. Svetambara, which means "white-clad," refers to its ascetics who wear white clothes, distinguishing them from the Digambara ("sky-clad") ascetics, who do not wear clothes. While it is difficult to claim conclusively that Svetambara is the more popular sect without specific statistical data, several factors can contribute to its seeming prominence.
One reason for the visibility of the Svetambara sect could be its more liberal stance towards women and the fact that it allows them to attain liberation, whereas the Digambara sect holds that women must first be reborn as men before achieving this goal. The Svetambara sect's practices could also appeal to laypeople as the requirement of wearing white clothes is less austere compared to the Digambara practice of nudity, which represents renunciation of worldly things. Additionally, the Svetambara tradition has historically had a strong monastic community that has played a significant role in education and manuscript preservation, further spreading its influence.
Furthermore, Svetambara Jainism's presence is significantly noted in regions like Gujarat and Rajasthan, where large and prosperous Jain communities have built numerous temples and contributed to the flourishing of Jain culture and religion throughout the region. The density of adherents in these economically influential areas may give the impression of greater popularity.