Was Mahavira the Founder of Buddhism?

Answer 1

Jains do not account Mahavira as the founder of Jainism. Instead, they believe that Jainism is an eternal religion. However for this time frame (or kaal khand, a unit of time), Lord Rishabadeva, 1st Jain Tirthankar, is considered to have taught Jain values and teachings to common people for the first time (in this kaal khand). Mahavira is the 24th and the last Tirthankar of Jains who simply propagated the religion.

Answer 2

Vardhaman or Mahavir was not the founder of Jainsim.

However, he was the last Tirthankar who preached Jainism to people.

See following links for more details on Tirthankar and Mahavir

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tirthankara

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahavira

Answer 3

Mahavira was indeed a founder of a spiritual path, but it wasn't Buddhism. He was a contemporary of the Buddha, they lived during the same time period, but he founded a spiritual path known as Jainism.