History of Jainism Hindu god Krishna. Jains consider their religion to be eternal. The two main sects of Jainism, the "Digambara" and the "Śvētāmbara" sect, likely started forming about the 3rd century BCE and the schism was complete by about 5th century CE. These sects later subdivided into several sub-sects such as Sthānakavāsī and Terapanthis. Jainism co-existed with Buddhism and Hinduism in ancient and medieval India. Many of its historic temples were built near the Buddhist and Hindu temples in 1st millennium CE. After the 12th-century, the temples, pilgrimage and naked ascetic tradition of Jainism suffered persecution during the Muslim rule, with the
Bispanthi Vidyananda, Acharya Vardhamansagar, Acharya Vishudsagar are regarded to be Bispanthis. Acharya Vidyasagar, a disciple of Acharya Gyansagar, is considered to be a Terapanthis, even though Acharya Gyansagar himself derived his tradition from Acharya Santisagar. However most Digambar monks do not use actually use either labels. Aryika pramuk Gyanmati Mataji and her sangha regards itself to be representing Bispanth. Traditionally, Jains have had two prime sects of Digambara and Svetambara. They were further subdivided into others on their thought schools. Where Digambar Terapanth professes 13 ways, the Bispanthis professed 20 ways to attain liberation. ("Bis+panthi = Twenty+Follower of a way.") Bispanthi