No central authority

Jainism

around 5 million adherents worldwide.

Estimate from Pew Research Center — The Future of World Religions.

What the sources state

Jain Vishva Bharati describes Acharya Bhikshu as the founder and first spiritual head of the Svetambara Terapanth tradition.

“Founder and first spiritual head of the Svetambar Terapanth sect of Jainism.”

Source: Jain Vishva Bharati

Every quotation above was checked against its source on 3 September 2026.

Authority

Jainism has no central authority.

Traditions

Digambara

Śvētāmbara

Observances in 2026

Observance	Dates	How certain
Mahavir Jayanti	31 March 2026	Calculated

Sources

Pew Research Center — The Future of World Religions
Demographic estimates
Jain Vishva Bharati
Jain Vishva Bharati, of the Svetambara Terapanth tradition.
Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA)
Jain associations in North America. A federation of congregations, not a doctrinal authority.

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