Answer

According to Jainism, human beings have existed from beginningless time, because the universe and living souls are considered anādi — without a beginning.

So, from the Jain viewpoint, there was never a first moment when life or humans “began” absolutely.

Explanation

Jain Dharma teaches that:

• The universe was never created and will never be destroyed completely.
• Souls have existed forever.
• Life exists in many forms across different regions of the universe.
• Time moves in endless cycles of rise and decline.

Because of this, Jainism does not explain history as a single linear timeline beginning with creation and then progressing to animals and humans. Instead, it teaches that humans, animals, heavenly beings, hellish beings, plants, and microscopic life have existed in different forms throughout beginningless time.

From this religious-cosmological perspective, humans are not said to have first appeared after dinosaurs in an absolute sense.

Spiritual Understanding

The main Jain focus is not on comparing humans and dinosaurs historically, but on understanding that all living beings are souls bound by karma. Whether a being is human, animal, tiny organism, or another life-form, Jainism teaches compassion and non-violence toward all.

Takeaway

According to Jainism, humans and other living beings have existed from beginningless time. Therefore, Jainism would not say that humans began only after dinosaurs in an absolute cosmic sense.