Question: is jainism a sect of hinduism?
Answer: The truth: Jainism is not a sect of Hinduism. Jainism is an ancient religion that pre-dates Lord Mahavir, the 24th and last Jain Thirthankar, who lived in the sixth century BCE. Western history shows evidence that the 23rd Thirthankar Lord Parshvanath lived in the ninth century BCE.