08/07/2023
History of Jainism
Jainism is a religion founded in ancient India. Jains trace their history through twenty-four tirthankara and revere Shree Rishabhnatha Bhagwan as the first tirthankara (in the present time-cycle). The last two tirthankara, the 23rd tirthankara Parshvanatha (c. 9thтАУ8th century BCE) and the 24th tirthankara Mahavira (c. 599 тАУ c. 527 BCE) are considered historical figures. According to Jain texts, the 22nd Tirthankara Neminatha lived about 5,000 years ago and was the cousin of Sri Krishna Bhagwaan.[citation needed]
The two main sects of Jainism, the Digambara and the ┼Ъv─Уt─Бmbara sect, likely started forming about the 3rd century BCE and the schism was complete by about 5th century CE. These sects later subdivided into several sub-sects such as Sth─Бnakav─Бs─л and Terapanthis. Many of its historic temples that still exist today were built in 1st millennium CE. After the 12th century, the temples, pilgrimage and naked (skyclad) ascetic tradition of Jainism suffered persecution during the Muslim rule, with the exception of Akbar whose religious tolerance and support for Jainism led to a temporary ban on animal killing during the Jain religious festival of Dasa Lakshana. Jainism rejects the concept of creator and founder. In the present half cycle of the cosmos, Aadinatha was the first Tirthankara .[citation needed]
