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
Jain literature from the first "tirthankara" Rishabhanatha. The "Digambara" sect believes that there were 26 "Agam‑sutras" (12 "Ang‑agams" + 14 "Ang‑bahya‑agams"). However, they were gradually lost starting from one hundred fifty years after Lord Mahavir's "nirvana". Hence, they do not recognize the existing Agam-sutras (which are recognized by the "Svetambara" sects) as their authentic scriptures. In "Digambara" tradition, two main texts, three commentaries on main texts, and four "Anuyogas" (exposition) consisting of more than 20 texts are followed. These scriptures were written by great "Acharyas" (scholars) from 100 to 1000 AD using the original "Agama Sutras" as the basis for their work.