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
Digambara "Bispanthi" also worship "Yaksha" and "Yakshini" like Bhairava and Kshetrapala. Their religious practices include "aarti" and offerings of flowers, fruits and "prasad". "Bhattarakas" are their "dharma-gurus" and they are concentrated in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharastra and South India. According to "Digambara" texts, after attaining "Kevala Jnana" (omniscience), "arihant" (omniscient beings) are free from human needs like hunger, thirst, and sleep. In contrast, Śvētāmbara texts preach that it is not so. According to the "Digambara" tradition, a soul can attain "moksha" (liberation) only from the male body with complete nudity being a necessity. While, Śvētāmbaras believe that women can attain liberation from