Which is older: Hinduism or Jainism?

Question

I need some help. Some books say Hinduism is older while others say Jainism is older.

Some say Jainism is an independent religion older than Hinduism, while some say Jainism is a branch of Hinduism.

How am I supposed to write a paper with that? I'm confused. Please help.

How to spot an atheist: 599 BC. Apprently Mahvir was not the one to have found the religion. 23 Jinas exised before him and the first one was thought to have lived around 3000 bce. So you see, its very confusing.

Thanks for the links. But it says Mahavir found Jainism 2,500 years ago. But if you check out these books on books.google.com, you see something different

http://www.google.co.uk/books?q=%22not+the+founder+of+jainism%22&btnG=Search+Books

Heron By The Sea: very helpful, thank you so much :)

Answer 1

As far as I have always been taught, Hinduism is older, and Jainism stemmed out of Hinduism. Look at the sources that are saying each thing, and see if one may be more credible than the other. It's also possible that you could look at it either way, in which case, you will need to examine the arguments put forth by each side, and see which one makes the most sense to you.

It might be possible that the confusion is due to the many changes that Hinduism has gone through over the years. It has grown and developed but has always kept a connection to its central teachings of the Vedas. But perhaps in some peoples' minds, it has changed so much that what they call "Hinduism" today is not what it was. So who knows. Like I said, you have to look at what argument they are using to make their claim. If they do not support what they say with any argument, then I'd be very skeptical.

EDIT:
Ok, I see. Based on your additional detail, I think I may see the confusion. According to secular scholars, Mahavira was the founder of Jainism, or at least Mahavira's teacher was. But according to the teachings of Jainism itself, it does go way back and they point to several prior Jinas.

This is like if a Muslim claims that Muhammad did not found Islam. According to Islam, Islam is the pure religion of God, that was revealed to all people in all ages. So if you ask a Muslim, they may say it is the oldest religion. However, if you ask a secular scholar, they are going to say Muhammad founded it.


So, here's what you ought to do in my opinion. You ought to say something like, "Scholars believe the religion was founded by Mahavira, but according to the Jains themselves, the religion is ancient, going back to at least 3000 BCE.

Answer 2

I respect your question. In my opinion, A way of life in the Indian sub-continent that existed from time immemorial was given a name as "Hinduism" by people who formed groups after a person or a book or the like. If you are looking for the date of naming you should be able to find it. True hindu way of life has no time but rules / guidelines were brought in as time moved on mainly to refine the false beliefs that caused damage than good.

Hope this helps to be specific about your question than confused.

Answer 3

What you do is quote both types of books as a reference in your paper. When you do your bibliography in the back of the paper, you list both types of books as sources. You can even use the conflicting points of view in your paper to draw comparisons against each other. This way, your teachers will know you put in the leg work to do the report right.

Aside from this, all the writings I have ever read have stated that the Jains are a sect of the Hindu faith, similar to the Brahmin.

Hope this helps...

Answer 4

Sorry I can't help. I'm not even sure what Jainism is. I've heard that Hinduism tries to incorporate ALL religions into it.

Answer 5

Buddhists additionally declare that their Gautama Buddha replaced into preceded by skill of many different "Buddhas" predating Hinduism and Jainism. Vedas point out Rishabha who's considered by skill of Jains as first Jain tirthankar. Vedas additionally point out many different sages who're considered Hindu/ Sanatan by skill of all. Use your elementary experience and tell me how does this teach that Jainism is older? on the different hand, on account that your first tirthankar is reported of their scriptures that are somewhat older than any Jain texts, Hindus can logically lay a declare over your faith as an prolonged or in spite of area of theirs (although purely laying a declare does not make the declare real). probable the certainty is: Jainism, Hinduism and Buddhism all had elementary roots in historical Indian ascetic practices, yet simply by fact the Vedic replaced into the 1st one to emerge out as an prepared or defined physique of scriptures/ metaphysics/ practices, Vedic Hinduism is considered to be the oldest and rightly so. by skill of how, your declare that Rishabha existed around 7190 BC isn't traditionally verifiable one, and going by skill of such autonomous analyze claims as yours, Hinduism's Mahabharata on my own is declared to be 5000 years old (in accordance to planetary positions provided in that text cloth) and subsequently time of Rig Veda calculated out to be around 8500 BC, which lower back makes Vedas older.

Answer 6

Hinduism - 2500 BC
Jainism - 599 BC

Answer 7

hinduism is older.Its also the oldest religion,It was founded in prehistoric times.