The Sanskrit term samsara means the everlasting and eternal cycle of birth, death and rebirth, wherein every being is involved. According to Jaina doctrine only human beings are able to attain salvation (moksha) from this painful cycle.
Shvetambaras believe that both men and women are able to attain salvation. In contrast, Digambaras have a more orthodox perception that salvation is available only by men. Thus, Digambara community contains only monks but no nuns, so to become an ascetic women must first reincarnate as a man.