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do not do anything new. They by their extraordinaay perception and knowleege bring the fundamental principles into light again. They preach them, propound them and also spread them. Therefore, it is wrong to say that the religion started with them.
Purana, Smritics. Irikurala etc. which are scriptures of the non-Jains also contain reference to. Shri Rishabhadeva and other Teerthankaras. By this also we can follow that Jainism is a very ancient religion.
Jain Dharma is not a branch of Hindu Dharma. This is now proved and established by historians. This fact is also proved by the opinions of various learned men published herein at the end of the book.