ideas history succession twenty four leaders ''tirthankaras'' first current time cycle rishabhadeva tradition holds lived millions years ago twenty third ''tirthankara'' parshvanatha historians date ninth century bce twenty fourth ''tirthankara'' mahavira around bce jainism considered eternal ' 'dharma'' ''tirthankaras'' guiding every time cycle cosmology jainism one world 's oldest religions practice day two major ancient sub traditions digambaras v mbaras different views ascetic practices gender
Humanities Theology Jainism