Rishabnath is known as Adinath, Pushpadanta is known as Suvidhinath, Mahavir, is known as Vardhamana, Veer, Ativeer and Sanmati. Rishabnath was the first Tirthankara and the last one was Mahavir. It is believed that the 22nd Tirthankara, Neminath was the Lord Krishna's cousin. The importance given to incarnation in Jainism is similar to the importance given to incarnation in Hinduism. In Hinduism, an incarnate is considered to be an agent of God. Unlike this, a Tirthankara is any common man who rises to the state of Godliness.

The Muni (hermits) belonging to the Digambara sect do not wear clothes. 'Dig' mean - direction, the person, whose direction itself is the sky (sky-clad) is a Digambara. In Vedas, it is known as 'Vatrashana'. The people of the Shwetambara sect wear white clothes (white clad). About 300 years back, another sub-sect known as 'Sthanakvasi' came into existence. These people do not believe in idol worship. It is a branch of Shwetambara sect. The other sub-sects or branches of Jainsim are- Terahpanthi, Beespanthi, Taranpanthi, Japneeya. All of them differ with relation of conduct, rituals etc. but all of them believe unequivocally in Ahimsa (Non-violence), Sanyam (Restraint) and Anekantavad (equality).

Bhagwan Mahavir only gave sermons, but did not write any book based on his philosophy. Later on, the disciples and Acharyas compiled all his sermons and preaching together. One finds the basic literature of this religion in Prakrit, especially in Magadhi language. According to reliable sources, there are 43 spiritual books in all, which include 12 Anga granthas, 12 Upanga granthas, 10 Prakeerna granthas, 6 Ched granthas, 4 Mula granthas, and 2 Swatantra granthas. Unlike the Digambaras, the Shwetambaras believe and follow these books. The Digambaras believe that the original, authentic books are not available at all.

According to Jain tradition, there are 63 great souls in Jainism. One can come across, related stories and explanations of Jain Dharma in the Puranas. The Puranas have been written in Sanskrit, Apabhramsa and other regional languages. The significant Puranas are - Jinapurana of Jinasena, Arishtanemi Purana of Jinsena (II), Padmapurana of Ravisena, Uttarapurana of Gurubhadra. These books are of great historical and philosophical importance to India.

In the Digambara sect, the Shat Khandagam books are - Trivarnachar, Prabhrutsaar, Niyamsaar, Rayansaar, Tattvarthsutra, Sarvarthasiddhi and Shloka Vartika.