Jainism is an ancient religion that pre-dates
Lord Mahavir, the 24th and last Jain Tirthankar, who lived in the sixth century
BCE.
Western history shows evidence that the
23rd Tirthankar Lord Parshvanath lived in the ninth century BCE. According to
Jainagamas (Jain scriptures), there are 22 other Tirthankars that preceded both
Lord Parshvanath and Lord Mahavir. Jains believe that our religion has no
single founder, but that it has always existed and will continue to exist
though it may occasionally be forgotten. In our present era, the first
Tirthankar Lord Rishabhdev restored the Jain faith amongst humanity.
Within South Asia, both Jainism and
Hinduism flourished alongside and independently of one another. Both religions
share the theories of karma, reincarnation, and salvation. More detailed study, however, demonstrates
that there are significant differences in how each religion treats these
concepts, amongst other distinctions between the faiths.
For example, Hindus regard karma as an
invisible power explaining causality, while Jains believe karma to be a form of
matter that binds to our soul as a result of our actions.Whereas Hindus offer worship to many forms
of one God, the creator and preserver of the world, Jains do not believe in the
concept of an eternal God or a creator of the world.Jains regard the world itself as eternal.
We offer our respect, and in some cases worship, to the Tirthankars -- great
souls who have achieved enlightenment and attained salvation, freeing their
souls from the cycle of birth and death and serving as role models for the
faith.Additionally, Jain rituals, temples,
places of pilgrimage, fasting and festivals differ significantly from those in
Hinduism.
