Thank you for raising this. Here is a Jain perspective in simple terms.

• The Jain tradition is ancient, but it is not tied to a single date. It speaks of countless pasts and a long lineage of Tirthankaras. The commonly cited figure of “2600 years” is a rough way some people describe the ongoing Jain Dharma, not a precise starting point. Jainism has endured because its core principles—ahimsa (non-violence), anekantavada (many-sides of truth), aparigraha (non-attachment), and samvara (self-control)—are timeless and practical for spiritual progress.

• Why faith can feel waning today is usually because of modern life: rapid change, urbanization, secular pressures, distractions, and the difficulty of maintaining regular practice across families and communities. Societal norms, not just saints, shape how people live. When tradition is practiced as strict ritual alone, without personal understanding and relevance, people may drift away.

• The sense of “norms set by Jain saints” is often a mix of tradition, discipline, and communal guidance. In Jainism, there are differences between Digambara and Shwetambara understandings and practices. Some norms emphasize strict monastic codes and lay duties that can feel demanding; others emphasize flexibility for lay followers. Both aim to keep the path pure and accessible, but they have different interpretations and emphases.

• Plagiarism is not a Jain principle. Jain ethics centers on truth, non-duplication of harm, and respecting the authenticity of scriptures and teachers. If you feel a norm or practice seems misused or misrepresented, that is a concern about how it’s applied in a particular community, not a flaw in Jain teaching itself.

• What can help faith endure today:

- Make practice personal: small, regular steps like daily meditation, reading a few verses, or reflecting on non-violence and truth. - Engage with a local sangh (community) or online groups to share learning, questions, and support. - Focus on core values rather than only rituals. Apply ahimsa, truth, and self-discipline in daily life—how you speak, what you consume, how you treat others. - Learn about both Digambar and Shwetambar viewpoints to appreciate the richness and avoid unnecessary judgments. - Use modern tools wisely: study Jain philosophy through reliable sources, attend discourses, and join charitable or volunteer activities that embody Jain ethics.

• If you’re feeling discouraged, it can help to discuss specifics with a trusted Jain teacher or elder in your community. They can explain how certain practices arose historically and how they can be meaningfully applied today without losing the spirit of Jain path.

If you’d like, tell me which aspect you’re most concerned about (rituals, monastic rules, lay practice, or community life), and I’ll explain it from a Jain perspective with clarity and simplicity.