Which is older - Vedas/Hinduism or Jainism?

Question

We know for fact that India originated from Jainism. The name Bharat came from the son of the First Tirthankar of Jainism - Rishabha. Below link for reference:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Names_of_India#Bh.C4.81rata.2C_Bh.C4.81rat

Also, Hindu scriptures proves Rishabha and his life events pre-dates Ramayan. Hindu scripture Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 5 mentions Rishabha and acknowledges Bharat-varsha was named after Rishabha's son Bharat and ruled the entire world. Below link for reference:

http://vedabase.net/sb/5/en



Even Vedas mention Rishabha. But comparing the Vedic religion of Jain religion, which one is older? Vedas mention that this universe was created by Brahma. Jainism says that there is no Divine Creator for this universe, for even creator is unaccomplished because of his desires to create. Vedas do not mention about other human worlds. Jainism mentions there are 15 other human planets - 5 Bharat, 5 Airavat, 5 Mahavideh.

Answer 1

Every Indian must know that there was no religion called Hinduism before British rule in India.



The religion of Hinduism is brain child of British Government of India. Before British rule in India People of India used to identify themselves according to their own religions such as Vedic Rishis, Jains, Buddhists, Shaivites, Vaishnavites.



When British government conducted religion based censes, for the sake of convenience the British grouped all Indian originated religions like Vedic religion, Jainism, Buddhism, shaivism, Vaishnavism and called as Hinduism, since the censes was conducted basically to number Muslim, Christian, Jews in India.



That is why you don’t find any founder for the religion of Hinduism or specific rituals for Hinduism or any specific text/book for Hinduism or specific concept of God in Hinduism.



History of Indian Originated religions:

Vedic religion was the oldest Indian religion, Vedic religion collapsed during 300 BC during the period of the Emperor Ashoka. Animal sacrifice was an important part of various Vedic rituals which used to be performed by Vedic Brahmans, Around 300 BC Vedic religious practice of animal slaughtering/ sacrifice was prohibited by the king Ashoka after his conversion into Buddhism he implemented the doctrine of ahimsa in the country and he has prohibited slaughtering of animals for sacrifices. Due to this prohibition of animal slaughtering and animal sacrifice Vedic Brahmans could not continue with most of the rituals and lost their livelihood and priesthood and also the status in the society.



At that time for the sake of their survival and status in the society Vedic Brahmans fabricated new religions in compliance with Buddhist doctrine of ahimsa replacing the ritual of animal sacrifice by Homa and puja and archana, the new religions are called as Shaivism and Vaishnavism, Shaivism.



Chronology of Indian religions:



1. Vedic religion

2. Jainism

3. Buddhism

4. Shaivism

5. Vaishnavism

6. Hinduism

Answer 2

Please read Indus Valley civilization

for the answer.

We may go back to Bronze age.

Answer 3

Jainism Vs Hinduism

Answer 4

Vedas are older, if you remember the story of bhagirath who brought river ganga, his uncle or grand uncle was the first tirthankar of Jain religion.

now Hinduism is the name given by the west to those who live near Indus river (Indus river is western name of sindhu river- they were called sindhu people by the European and Africans 1000 of years back. this sindu changed to Hindu there in Europe and Africa). so basically hindusim is a name coined by west, it was never called Hinduism or Hindu but was know as sanatan dharm only.

so i guess you want to know about sanatan dharm, this is the religion which started not as a religion but as a common spiritual practice. One can say that whole world is hindu though its not correct with wrong consideration in mind of superiority.

finally this religion (know and named Hinduism by western people) is right there from beginning of humans. though one cant really distinguish between Jainism or Vedas as which one is older.

Answer 5

The Vedas are absolutely older. Jainism takes concepts from both Buddhism, and Hinduism. Buddhism is much MUCH younger than Hinduism...

Answer 6

Animism is older :)