According to Jain tradition, Jainism is considered to be eternal (sanatan) and without a beginning or an end. Jain texts assert that the teachings of the Tirthankaras have appeared in countless cycles of time, and thus Jainism is not founded by any one individual in history. The 24th Tirthankara, Lord Mahavira (6th century BCE), is often seen as a historical figure who revitalized the Jain community, but Jainism itself is believed to have existed long before.

From a historical perspective, both Jainism and Hinduism (Sanatan Dharma) have ancient roots in the Indian subcontinent, with overlapping timelines and shared cultural contexts. However, Jain teachings emphasize that their tradition is independent and pre-dates recorded history, being revealed by Tirthankaras in every time cycle.

Therefore, according to Jainism, Jainism is eternal and has no beginning, while Hinduism, as understood today, developed over time.