Answer

Jain Dharma does not teach that Hinduism “started when people separated from Jainism.” In the traditional Jain view, Jain Dharma is anādi — beginningless — and the teachings of the Tirthankars appear again and again in every time cycle.

Hinduism also developed over a very long period in ancient India. It did not begin as one single organized religion on one exact date.

Explanation

From the Jain perspective:

• Jain Dharma is eternal in principle: The truths of soul, karma, non-violence, liberation, and right conduct are considered timeless.
• Tirthankars re-establish Jain Dharma: In every time cycle, Tirthankars revive the path to moksha.
• Lord Rishabhdev, the 1st Tirthankar of the present time cycle, is traditionally regarded as the earliest Tirthankar of this era.
• Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankar, did not “start” Jainism; he revived and taught the already existing Jain path.

Regarding Hinduism:

• Hindu traditions grew gradually over thousands of years in ancient India.
• They include many streams such as Vedic traditions, Upanishadic thought, temple worship, devotional traditions, and many philosophical schools.
• So it is not accurate to say Hinduism began at one moment because people separated from Jainism.

Spiritual Understanding

Jain Dharma teaches us to understand history with anekāntavād — many-sided understanding. Instead of saying one community simply “broke away” from another, it is better to say that ancient India had many spiritual traditions, and Jain Dharma preserved the path of:

• Ahimsa
• Aparigraha
• Anekāntavād
• Karma purification
• Moksha

Takeaway

In Jain tradition, Jain Dharma is beginningless and was re-established by the Tirthankars. Hinduism developed gradually in ancient India, but Jainism does not traditionally say that Hinduism began only because people separated from Jain Dharma.