Buddhism vs Jainism - Similarities and Difference

Buddhism vs Jainism – Similarities and Difference

Table of Contents

Nattaputta Mahavira or Vardhamana Jnatiputra and Gautama Buddha or Siddhartha Gautama were the founders of Jainism and Buddhism respectively. There are much in common between Buddhism and Jainism. Because of this striking resemblances between these two religions, certain scholars say that Jainism originated from Buddhism or Jainism is a part of Buddhism. But this view is not accepted by most of the present day scholars.

There are similarities between the two but the basic difference between the philosophical system of the two gives them a separate space in the book of religions. In this article we will look into the basic similarities and the differences between Buddhism and Jainism.

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Buddhism vs Jainism: Similarities

	Similarities in Buddhism and Jainism
Culture/Background	Both are from Aryan Culture inspired ascetic ideals and the philosophy of the Upanishads, particularly that of Sankhya-Yoga. Neglect of God or an atheistic attitude. Pessimistic attitude that human life is full of misery. Both believe in Transmigration of soul and Karma. Both have origin from Hindu-Sankhya Philosophy. But, they made different changes in it.
Spiritual Revolt	Both revolted against the then prevalent Brahmanical religion as both these religions were a result of intellectual, spiritual and social forces of their times.
Place of Origin	Both originated in eastern India where time had successfully preserved the pre-Aryan culture. From the origin we can partly understand the reasons for their similarities.
Caste of the Founders	Both these religions were founded by members of the Kshatriya caste and both worked on the uplifting of the socially down-trodden like the Vaishvas and Sudras who were oppressed. Since both the Founders namely the Mahavira and Buddha were princes and belonged to the Kshatriya caste, they got help and support from the ruling class and the rich Vaishvas.
Large Converts from lower castes	As both oppossed and attacked the cast system, they attracted large converts from the lower classes of the society namely the Vaishvas and the Sudras. Both challenged the supremacy of the Brahmanas and were aginst then rituals ans sacrifices of the Brahmanism.
Nirvana or Salvation	Both believed that main aim of this life is to break out of the cycle of birth and death called Nirvana or salvation.
Authenticity of Vedas	Both refused to believe in the authenticity of Vedas as an error proof authority.
Belief System	Both emphasised on mortal life. They denied practising ritualism or even worship of God in order to attain Nirvana or salvation. Both practice Ahimsa or non-violence. Both believe that the deeds of an individual or Karma decides the happiness of his next birth. Ultimate salvation is the goal of both the religions. Both believed in the idea of giving up the worldly life and lean an ascetic life. They organised orders for monks and nuns.
Language	Preaching was done in the common language of the people. Both the religion discarded Sanskrit and the old scriptures. Buddist texts were written in Pali and Jaina texts were written in prakrat.

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Buddhism vs Jainism: Differences

Although Jainism and Buddhism resembled each other very much, there are distinctions between the two as follows:

	Jainism	Buddhism
Time of Origin	Jainism is a much more ancient religion as compared to Buddhism.	Buddhism came in to existence in the 6^th century compared to Jainism which is believed to be originated in the 5^th century
Founder	According to Jainism it had 24 Tirthankaras out of them Mahavira was the last of them. That is why, Mahavira is always regarded as a reformer of an already existing religion	Buddha is the only one originator of this religion.
Concept of Soul	Jainism believe that everything in nature including the stone and water has its own soul.	Buddhism does not believe in this concept.
Concept of Ahimsa or non-violence	High emphasis in Ahimsa. Focuses on non injury of all beings	Buddhism remained liberal in its interpretation in other countries, and even allowed eating of animal meat where it was a necessity or traditional diet of the people. Focus on loving all beings
Cast distinction	Jainism did not emphasis in cast distinction as much as Buddhism did.	Emphasized on elimination of caste distinctions.
Asceticism	Jainism practice strict asceticism to attain nirvana or salvation.	Buddism follows the middle path called Tathagata marg.
Who can attain Salvation?	In Jainism women and men who are householders cannot attain salvation.	In Buddhism anyone can attain salvation.
Going Naked	In Digambara sect of Jainism, the monks must go naked	Buddhism criticised it.
Organisation	Did not emphasis much on organisation of Sanghas.	It emphasized the organisation of Sanghas
Concept of Salvation	In Jainism salvation is possible only after death In Janism salvation is freedom from body.	In Buddhism one can attain salvation by denouncing the worldly existence. In Buddhism salvation is detachment from the world or destruction of the self.
Spread of religion	Jainism remained confined to India as it was difficult to follow due to stricter rules.	Buddhism was easy to adapt as it was not very difficult to follow. Buddhism spread all across Asia.
Comparing with Hinduism	No much conflicts between Jains and Hindus as Jainism remained closer to Hinduism.	Buddhists and Hindus proved rivals to each other.
Presence in India	Jainism originated in India and is still a living force in India.	Although Buddhism spread all across Asia it has practically vanished from India.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that Jainism and Buddhism were and still are two distinct and separate religious sects. But sometimes they even proved rivals to each other during and after the lifetime of their founders. Buddha had disapproved certain aspects of Jainism during his lifetime.

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