Answer

Jainism did not “start” with one founder in the usual historical sense. In Jain tradition, Jain Dharma is eternal. It is taught again and again in every time cycle by enlightened beings called Tirthankars.

In the present time cycle, Jain Dharma was revived and taught by the 24 Tirthankars, beginning with Bhagwan Rishabhdev, the 1st Tirthankar, and ending with Bhagwan Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankar.

Explanation

According to Jain Dharma:

• Bhagwan Rishabhdev is considered the first Tirthankar of the present era.
• He taught people the path of right conduct, non-violence, discipline, and spiritual liberation.
• Later, other Tirthankars continued to re-establish the same eternal truth.
• Bhagwan Mahavir, who lived about 2,600 years ago, did not create Jainism, but he strongly revived and organized the Jain path for his time.

The word Jain comes from Jina, meaning “one who has conquered inner enemies” such as anger, pride, deceit, greed, attachment, and hatred.

Spiritual Understanding

Jainism teaches that every soul has the potential to become pure, liberated, and free from karma. The path is based on:

• Ahimsa – non-violence
• Satya – truthfulness
• Achaurya – non-stealing
• Brahmacharya – control over desires
• Aparigraha – non-attachment

Takeaway

Jainism is understood as an eternal Dharma. In this era, it was first taught by Bhagwan Rishabhdev and later revived most recently by Bhagwan Mahavir.