According to Jainism, there is no single “start date” for Jain Dharma.

1. Jain view (most important):

- Jain Dharma is anādi–ananta – beginningless and endless. - धर्म (true religion) and its principles like अहिंसा, अपरिग्रह, many-sided truth, etc. always exist. - In every time‑cycle, countless Tirthankars appear and re‑reveal this eternal path.

1. In our present time‑cycle:

- The first Tirthankar is Bhagwan Rishabhdev (Adinath). - So, from the Jain spiritual viewpoint, the Jain tradition in this current era begins with Rishabhdev, not with Mahavir Swami.

1. Historical (modern scholar) view:

- Many historians talk about Jainism from the time of Bhagwan Mahavir (around 6th century BCE), because that is where clear historical records start. - But Jain scriptures clearly say: Mahavir is the 24th Tirthankar of this time‑cycle, not the founder.

So, in simple words:

• Jainism did not “start” on a particular date.
• It is an eternal religion, periodically taught again by Tirthankars like Rishabhdev and, in our recent history, Mahavir Swami.