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Jainism and Buddhism: Difference and Similarities| UPSC Notes

Jainism and Buddhism

Philosophies of Jainism and Buddhism, ancient spiritual traditions that emerged during the later Vedic period [around 5 circa B.C] in India. understand their unique beliefs on karma, liberation, and the nature of the self.

Buddhism, founded by Siddhartha Gautama, seeks Nirvana through the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path, while Jainism, established by Mahavira, pursues Moksha through non-violence and asceticism.

Difference between Jainism and Buddhism and their approaches to salvation, concepts of the soul, and ethical principles. shared values of non-violence (ahimsa) and rejection of the caste system. Journey through their rich textual heritage written in Sanskrit, Pali, and Ardhamagadhi.

Difference Between Jainism and Buddhism?
  • Expensive & complicated Vedic rituals, Superstitious beliefs, mantras confused the people.
  • The teachings of the Upanishads were highly philosophical, therefore not understood by all.
  • The rigid caste system prevalent in India generated tensions in society.
  • Desire of Vaishya to improve their social position due to the increase in trade and economic prosperity.
  • Unrest in society due to supremacy Brahmina.
  • The practice of killing cows became a hindrance to the new agri economy.

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Overview of BUDDHISM
  • The religion is based upon the teachings, life experiences of its founder Siddhartha Gautam, born in circa 563 BCE.
  • Buddha asked his followers to avoid the two extremes of indulgence in worldly pleasure and the practice of strict abstinence and asceticism.
  • He ascribed instead the ‘Madhyam Marg’ or the middle path which was to be followed.
GAUTAMA BUDDHA (563 BC-483 BC)

 

  • He is also known as Siddharta, Sakyamuni & Tathagata
  • Belong to Sakya Clan
  • Father: Siddhodana
  • Mother: Mayadevi
  • Birth Place: Lumbini, capital of Sakya republic
  • Teachers: Alarakama and UdrakaRamputra
  • Enlightenment: At age of 33 under Peepal tree at Uruvella (Bodhgaya) on banks of river Niranjana (Falgu).
  • First Sermon: Sarnath (Deer park) on Dharma Chakra Parivarthana to 5 disciples including Mahakasyapa (first disciple)
  • Mahaparinirvana: At Kushinagar at age of 80.
 LITERARY SOURCES: 
  • Ceylonese Chronicles – MAHAVAMSA by Mahanama, DEPAVAMSA and ATTAKATHA by Wattagamani.
  • Tibetan Chronicles- DIVYAVANDANA-KALACHAKRA
  • TRIPITAKA/ Three baskets of Buddhist scripture –
  • SUTTAPITAKA [sutra related to Buddha and companion]
  • VINAYPITAKA [monastic rules] and
  • ABHIDHAMPITAKA [Doctrine and philosophy of Buddhism]
  • JATAKA FOLKLORE [stories related to birth of Buddha]/ In Chinese they are called SADOK.
  • MILINDAPANHA [Questions of Milinda that is greek king Meander and answers of Buddhist monk nagasena]
3 JEWELS OF BUDDHISM (TRIRATNA)
  • Buddha, Dhamma & Sangha.

 

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  • Roots of Buddism in the past- Vedanta, Sankhya philosophy & Upansihada.
GREAT EVENTS OF BUDDHA’S LIFE SYMBOLS
  • Avakranti (conception or descent)
White Elephant
  • Jati (birth)
Lotus and Bull
  • Mahabhinishkramana (Great Renunciation)
Horse
  • Nirvana/ Sambodhi (enlightenment)
Bodhi tree
  • Dharmachakra Parivarthana (first Sermon)
Wheel
  • Mahaparinirvana (Death)
Stupa

 

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5 TEACHINGS OF BUDDHA

[PANCHSHILA]

  1. No killing Respect for life.
  2. Abstention from theft.
  3. Abstention from sexual misconduct.
  4. Abstention from falsehood.
  5. Abstention from intoxication.
4 NOBLE TRUTHS:

‘ARYA SATYAS’ 

  1. World is full of misery (Sabbam Dukkam)
  2. Desire is a root cause of sorrow (Pratityasamutpada)
  3. Desire can be conquered (DukhaNirodha)
  4. Desire can be conquered by following Astangika marga.
 

EIGHT-FOLD PATHS

(ASTANGIKA MARGA)

  • The path consists of various interconnected activities related to knowledge, conduct, and meditative practices.
  • Right view + Right intention + Right speech + Right action + Right livelihood + Right mindfulness + Right effort + Right concentration
 

FIVE PRECEPTS OR PANCHASHIL

 

  • Buddha also established code of conduct both for the monastic order and the laymen to follow which are also known as the Five Precepts or Pancasil and refrain from them:
  • Violence + Stealing + Sexual misconduct + Lying or gossip + Taking intoxicating substances e.g. drugs or drink.
 THREE PITAKAS
  • The Vinaya Pitaka consists of rules of conduct and discipline applicable to the monastic life of the monks and nuns.
  • The Sutta Pitaka consists of the main teaching or Dhamma of Buddha. It is divided into five Nikayas or collections:
    1. Digha Nikaya
    2. Majjhima Nikaya
    3. Samyutta Nikaya
    4. Anguttara Nikaya
    5. Khuddaka Nikaya
  • The Abhidamma Pitaka is a philosophical analysis and systematization of the teaching and the scholarly activity of the monks.
  • Other important Buddhist texts include Divyavadana, Dipavamsa, Mahavamsa, Milind Panha etc.

   

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BUDDHIST SANGHA AND ITS FEATURES:
  • The oldest prayer place in history where slaves, Insolvents, and diseased were not allowed.
  • There were 64 types of crimes called Pathimokshas, which were prohibited
  • Women were also allowed to join.
IMPORTANT BUDDHIST SCHOLARS
  • MOGGALIPUTTA TISSA – launched ASHOKA’S dhamma campaign
  • ASVAGOSHA– wrote BUDDHACHARITA and Sanskrit drama SARIPUTRA PRAKRAN [sariputra the disciple of Buddha]
  • NAGARJUNA – Founded madhyamik school of mahayanbuddism, gave theory of SUNYAVAD’ EMPTINESS’ and important work include ‘MULAMADHYAMAKAKARIKA’
  • BUDDHAGOSH – most important commentator of Theravada, important work is VISUDDIMAGGA.
  • DHARMAKIRTI – Teacher at Nalanda, called as ‘kant of india’.

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BODDHISATTVAS
  • In Mahayana, Buddhism Bodhisattva is a person who can reach nirvana but delays doing so through compassion for suffering beings
  • It is similar to the concept of Incarnations in Hindu Mythology.
  • Bodhisattvas are common figures in Buddhist literature and art.

 

BODHISATTVA TRAITS OF INDIVIDUAL BODHISATTVA
MAITREYA
  • Future Buddha & Earliest bodhisattva
  • Also known as Ajitaboddhisatva
  • Holds a waterphial in his left hand
  • Popular laughing Buddha is claimed to be an incarnation of maitreya.
 

SAMANTABHADRA

  • Universal Bodhisattva
  • associated with Meditation
  • Manifestation is Action
 

VAJRAPANI

 

  • Like Indra holds thunderbolt [depict power]
  • Depicted as one of the 3 protective deities around Buddha.
  • Other 2 – Manjusri and Avlokiteshwara
AVLOKITESVARA
  • Kind-hearted.
  • Manifests Buddha’s compassion.
KSHITIGARBHA 
  • Guardian of purgatories and children
  • Bodhisattva of hell-beings or earth immortal beings
AMITABHA
  • Buddha of Heaven
SADAPARIBHUTA
  • Manifests Never disparaging spirit.
MANJUSHRI
  • Stimulator of understanding and he holds book describing 10 paramitas
  • Depict male bodhisattva wielding flaming sword in his left hand
AKASAGARBHA
  • He is boundless as space
  • Manifestation of wisdom

   

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BUDDHIST COUNCILS

 

COUNCIL VENUE CHAIRMAN PATRON KING OUTCOME
First

483 BC

Sattapani cave at Rajgriha. Mahakasyapa Ajatasatru
  • It was held soon after the Mahaparinirvan of the Buddha.
  • The council was held with the purpose of preserving Buddha’s teachings (Sutta) and rules for disciples. During this council, the teachings of Buddha were divided into three Pitakas.
  • Compilation of Suttapitakaand Vinaya Pitaka by Upali
Second 383BC Vaishali Sabbakami Kalashoka
  • Divide in Sthaviradins & Mahasangikas
Third

250 BC

Pataliputra MogaliputtaTissa Ashoka
  • Compilation of Abhidamapittaka
Fourth

98AD

Kashmir Vasumitra & Ashvaghosa Kanishka
  • Compilation of Mahavibhasha sastra. Divisionof Bhuddhism and Hinayana and Mahayana

 

SCHOOLS OF BUDDHISM
  • MAJOR SCHOOLS à Mahayana & Hinayana
  • OTHER SCHOOLS à Theravada, Vajrayana & Zen.

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MAHAYANA BUDDHISM
  • The term Mahayana is a Sanskrit word which literally means “Great Vehicle”.
  • Sought salvation through grace & help of Buddha & Bodhisattvas.
  • It originated in northern India and Kashmir and then spread east into Central Asia, East Asia and some areas of Southeast Asia.
  • Believed that Buddha will be born again.
  • Worship Buddha in idol form.
  • Language- Sanskrit.
  • Sub-schools Chittmatra & Madhyamaka
  • ZEN is a subschool of Mahayana which is prevalent in China, Korea and related to Taoism.
  • Buddhist schools embedded in China, Korea, Tibet and Japan belong to the Mahayana tradition.
HINAYANA BUDDHISM:
  • Considered Lesser vehicle. Also known as Abandoned Vehicle or Defective vehicle. It believes in the original teaching of Buddha or Doctrine of elders.
  • Followed the original teachings of Buddha.
  • Sought individual salvation through self-discipline & meditation.
  • Buddha will never be reborn.
  • Did not believe in Idol worship.
  • Language- Pali language.
  • Buddha was an intellectual, not a god.
  • Encompasses 18 subschools.
  • Most important – Sarvastivada, Theravadin & Sautantrika.
THERAVADA AND SARVASTIVADA: 
  • Theravada Buddhism is older and the more conservative of the two main divisions of Buddhism and is often referred to as the ‘traditions of the elder’
  • Theravada is a Hinayana sect.
  • Theravada Buddhists strive to become Arhats and gain freedom from the cycle of samsara.
  • Sarvastivadins consider everything empirical to be impermanent, they maintain that the dharma factors are eternally existing realities.
  • The dharmas are thought to function momentarily, producing the empirical phenomena of the world, which is illusory, but to exist outside the empirical world.
  • Theravada Buddhism developed in Sri Lanka and subsequently spread to the rest of Southeast Asia. It is the dominant form of religion in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
VAJRAYANA: 
  • Vajrayana means “The Vehicle of the Thunderbolt”, also known as tantric Buddhism.
  • This Buddhist school developed in India around 900 CE.
  • Believed in acquiring magical power for liberation.
  • Developed in Tibet and believes in the worship of female deities – Taras.
  • It became popular in Eastern India, particularly Bengal and Bihar.
 ZEN:
  • It is a school of Mahayana Buddhism that originated in China during the Tang dynasty as the Chan school of Chinese Buddhism in and later developed into various schools.
  • It spread to Japan in the 7th century C.E.
  • Meditation is the most distinctive feature of this Buddhist tradition.

 

CONTRIBUTION OF BUDDHISM:

 

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RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL SPHERE

 

  • Stressed on ethical living rather than rituals, animal sacrifices, etc.
  • Does not recognize the existance of god/soul.
  • Taught the Middle path for salvation.
  • Propagated Liberal & democratic values.
  • Women were given equal status as men.
  • Opposed caste and Varna system, any form of hierarchy and discrimination.
  • The Authority of Vedas was challenged. Faith was given a rational basis.
 

 

ART AND CULTURE SPHERE

 

  • The stupas at Sanchi, Bharhut and Gaya the chaityas and viharas.
  • Promoted education through residential universities like those at Taxila, Nalanda and Vikramasila.
  • The language of Pali and other local languages developed through the teachings of Buddhism.
  • Promoted the spread of Indian culture to other parts of Asia.

 

IMPORTANT TERMS & MEANINGS RELATED TO BUDDHISM:

   

TERM MEANING
ARHATS Liberated beings
NIRVANA State of Supreme Bliss
SHEEL Refers to when a layperson leaves home to live the life of a Buddhist renunciate among a community of bhikkhus
ŚRAMAṆA One who labors, toils, or exerts themselves (for some higher or religious purpose) or “seeker, one who performs acts of austerity, ascetic.
UPASAMPADĀ Refers to the rite and ritual of ascetic vetting (ordination) by which a candidate, if deemed acceptable, enters the community as Upasampadā (ordained) and authorised to undertake ascetic life.
VASSA Three-month annual retreat observed by Theravada practitioners. Taking place during the wet season, Vassa lasts for three lunar months, usually from July to October.
UPOSTHA It is a Buddhist day of observance. The Buddha taught that the Uposatha day is for “the cleansing of the defiled mind,” resulting in inner calm and joy.
PAVARANA Assembly at the end of Vassa

POSADHA

Restoration of vows

 

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CAUSES FOR DECLINE OF BUDDHISM:
  • Decline of Buddhist Sanghas due to violation of Buddist principles & discipline.
  • The Buddhists began to adopt Sanskrit, the language of the elite. So the masses moved away.
  • The attack of Huns in the 5th & 6th centuries and Turkish invaders in the 12th century destroyed the monasteries.
  • Buddhism was mainly an urban religion with rural India always Hindu. When Islam came to India, it impacted the urban regions & thus Buddhism.
  • Revival of Brahmanism and Division among Buddhists
  • Rajput rulers were warlike and could not follow the policy of Ahimsa.
  • Loss of Royal Patronage.
 UNESCO’S HERITAGE SITES RELATED TO BUDDHISM:
  1. Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar
  2. Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi, MP
  3. Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya, Bihar
  4. Ajanta Caves Aurangabad, Maharashtra

NOTE: Heritage City Development Scheme (HRIDAY) and identification of 3 Buddhist circuits are some of the few initiatives by the central government to harness the Buddhist pilgrims to both augment the Tourism and employment opportunities.

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JAINISM: History, Teachings, and Impact on Indian Culture
  • Jainism came into prominence in 6th century B.C., when Lord Mahavira propagated the religion.
  • The word ‘Jain’ is derived from jina or jaina which means the ‘Conqueror’.
  • There were 24 Tirthankaras (teachers) & the first Tirthankara was Rishabhanath or Rishabhadev.
  • The 23rd Tirthankara was Parshvanatha who was born in Varanasi.
  • The last – 24th Tirthkara was Vardhaman Mahavira.
  • The doctrine of Jaina is older than the Buddhist doctrine.
 

VARDHAMAN MAHAVIRA

(539-467 BC)

 

  • Birth – Kundagrama near Vaishali. Belongs to Gnatrika Clan. Buddha and Mahavira were contemporaries.
  • Parents – Siddhartha and Trisala (Sister of Lichchhavi chief Chetaka).
  • He was married to Yasoda and had a daughter Anojja or Priyadarsana.
  • Teachers – Alarakama and Udraka Ramputra.
  • He attained Kaivalya-highest spiritual knowledge, at the age of 42 under Sal tree. Thus, he is called Mahavir, Jina Jitendriya (one who conquered his senses), Nigrantha (free from all bonds).
  • First sermon – At Pava
  • Died at Pava near Rajagriha at the age of 72.
  • A symbol was associated with every Tirthankara and Mahavira’s symbol was a lion.
 

TEACHINGS OF MAHAVIRA

 

  • Rejected authority of the Vedas & Vedic rituals.
  • Did not believe in the existance of God.
  • Believed in Karma & Transmission of Soul.
  • Emphasised the equality but did not condemn the varna system.
  • Advocated a life of austerity and non-violence.
TENETS OF JAINISM 
  • Belief in God: Jainism recognised the existence of god but placed them lower than Jina (Mahavira).
  • It did not condemn the varna system but attempted to mitigate the evils of the varna order and the ritualistic Vedic religion.
  • According to Mahavira, a person is born in higher or lower varna as the consequence of the sins or the virtues in the previous birth. Thus, Jainism believes in the “transmigration of the soul” and the “theory of Karma.”
 

ANEKANTAVADA

 

  • Emphasises that the ultimate truth and reality is complex, and has multiple-aspects i.e “theory of plurality”.
  • It refers to the simultaneous acceptance of multiple, diverse, even contradictory viewpoints.
 

SYADVADA

 

  • All judgments are conditional, holding good only in certain conditions, circumstances, or senses.
  • Seven modes of prediction (Saptabhangi Nayavada)
  • Syadavada literally means the method of examining different probabilities.
FIVE DOCTRINES OF JAINISM 
  • AHIMSA: Non-injury to a living being
  • SATYA: Do not speak a lie
  • ASTEYA: Do not steal
  • APARIGRAHA: Do not acquire property
  • BRAHMACHARYA: Observe continence
THREE JEWELS/

TRIRATNA 

  • It mainly aims at the attainment of liberation, for which no ritual is required.
  • It can be attained through three principles called Three Jewels or Triratna i.e.

1. Right Faith (Samyakdarshana)

2. Right Knowledge (Samyakjnana)

3. Right Action (Samyakcharita)

SPREAD OF JAINISM
  • Through Sangha, it consists of women & Men.
  • Under the patronage of Chandragupta Maurya, Kharaveli of Kalinga and the royal dynasties of south India such as the Gangas, the Kadambas, the Chalukyas and the Rashtrkutas.
  • When Bhadrabahu (Guru of Chandragupta Maurya) left for South India, Sthulabahu remained in the North with his followers.
  • After Bhadrabahu returned with his follower, Jainism spilt into two sects:
    1. Jainism and BuddhismSWETAMBARAS: White-clad; Northerners
    2. DIGAMBARAS: Sky-clad (naked); Southerners.

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SECTS/ SCHOOL OF JAINISM
  • Jain order has been divided into two major sects: Digambara and Svetambara. The division occurred mainly due to famine in Magadha which compelled a group led by Bhadrabahu to move South India.
  • During the 12 years famine, the group in South India stuck to the strict practices while the group in Magadha adopted a more lax attitude and started wearing white clothes.
  • After the end of famine, when the Southern group came back to Magadha, the changed practices led to the division of Jainism into two sects.
DIGAMBARA
  • Monks of this sect believe in complete nudity. Male monks do not wear clothes while female monks wear unstitched plain white sarees.
  • Follow all five vows (Satya, Ahimsa, Asteya, Aparigraha and Brahmacharya).
  • Believe women cannot achieve liberation.
  • Bhadrabahu was an exponent of this sect.
  • Major Sub-Sects: Mula Sangh, Bisapantha, Terapantha, Taranpantha or Samaiyapantha.
  • Minor Sub-Sets: Gumanapantha, Totapantha.
SHVETAMBARA

 

  • Monks wear white clothes.
  • Follow only 4 vows (except brahmacharya).
  • Believe women can achieve liberation.
  • Sthulabhadra was an exponent of this sect.
  • Major Sub-Sects: Murtipujaka, Sthanakvasi, Terapanthi

 

JAIN COUNCILS

 

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COUNCIL VENUE CHAIRPERSON OUTPUT
First 300BC Patliputra Sthulabahu, Patron – Chandragupta Maurya Compilation of 12 Angas
Second 512 AD Vallabhi Devardhigani Final compilation of 12 Angas &12 upanga

   

IMPORTANT TERMS RELATED TO JAINISM
  • ASRAV- Inflow of karmas to the soul that occurs at every second in life.
  • SAMVARA– Stoppage of the influx of the material karmas into the soul consciousness.
  • NIRJARA – Shedding or removal of accumulated karmas from the atma (soul), essential for breaking free from samsara, the cycle of birth-death and rebirth, by achieving moksha, liberation. It is one of the seven fundamental principles, or Tattva in Jain philosophy.
  • SALLEKHANA– It is the religious practice of voluntarily fasting to death by gradually reducing the intake of food and liquids. Also Called Santhara.
  • KAIVALYA, also known as Kevala Jnana, means omniscience in Jainism and is roughly translated as complete understanding or supreme wisdom.
IMPORTANT JAIN LITERATURE AND ITS SCHOLARS 
  • Tha canonical jain literature is claimed to have started from ADINATH [Rishabnath] [first tirthankara]
  • Teachings of tirthankara before mahavira was known as PURVA.
  • Jain literature is called as JAIN AGAMAS [canonical text based on mahavira’s teaching]
  • These agamas are further divided into – Angas, mulasutra, upangas, prakirnaka sutra, chedasutra & ulikasutras.
  • KALPASUTRA -written by bhadrabahu. It contains biographies of jain tirthankaras.
  • Jain literature is mainly written in Pakrit language.

 

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  • AGAM OR CANONICAL LITERATURE (AGAM SUTRAS): Agam literature consists of many texts, which are the sacred books of the Jain religion + They are written in the Ardha-magadhi, a form of Prakrit language.
  • NON‑AGAM LITERATURE: Non-agam literature consists of commentary and explanation of Agam literature, and independent works, compiled by ascetics and scholars + They are written in many languages such as Prakrit, Sanskrit, Apabhramsa, Old Marathi, Rajasthani, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannad, Tamil, German, and English.
JAIN ARCHITECTURE
  • MANASTAMBHA: It is found in the front side of the temple, having religious importance with an ornamental pillar structure carrying the image of Tirthankar on top and on all four cardinal directions.
  • BASADIS: Jain monastic establishment or temples in Karnataka.
 

 

LAYANA/GUMPHAS (CAVES)

 

 

  • Ellora Caves (Cave No. 30-35)- Maharashtra
  • Mangi Tungi Cave- Maharashtra
  • Gajapantha Cave- Maharashtra
  • Udayagiri-Khandagiri Caves- Odisha
  • Hathi-gumpha Cave- Odisha
  • Sittanavasal Cave- Tamil Nadu
STATUES

 

  • Gometeshwara/Bahubali Statue- Shravanabelagola, Karnataka
  • Statue of Ahimsa (Rishabnatha)- Mangi-Tungi hills, Maharashtra
 

JAINALAYA (TEMPLE)

 

  • Dilwara Temple- Mount Abu, Rajasthan
  • Girnar and Palitana Temple- Gujarat
  • Muktagiri Temple- Maharashtra

 

CONTRIBUTION OF JAINISM
  • Preached Non-violence toward all living beings.
  • Growth of Prakrit & kannada language. Vardhaman Mahavir preached in ‘Ardha-Magadhi’ language, the language of the common man.
  • Introduced new philosophy – syatvad.
  • Art & architecture – statue of Gomateshwara (Shramanbdlogola), temples of Khajuraho and Abu. Tiger cave of Udayagiri and Indra Sabha of Ellora.
  • Jainism contributed to the growth of the trading community.

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Jainism and Buddhism

Jainism and Buddhism are two ancient religious traditions that originated in India around the same time (6th century BCE) and share some common philosophical roots, yet they have distinct doctrines, practices, and beliefs. Here are some of the key differences and similarities between Jainism and Buddhism:

Difference between Jainism and Buddhism

  1. Founders:
    • Buddhism: Founded by Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as the Buddha or the “Enlightened One.”
    • Jainism: Founded by Mahavira, also known as Vardhamana, who is considered the 24th Tirthankara (spiritual teacher) in Jain tradition.
  2. Beliefs about the Soul (Atman) and Non-Self (Anatta):
    • Buddhism: Rejects the concept of an eternal, unchanging soul (anatta). Instead, it teaches the doctrine of anatta, emphasizing the impermanence of all things, including the self.
    • Jainism: Believes in the existence of a soul (atman) that is eternal and unchanging. Jainism emphasizes the liberation (moksha) of the soul from the cycle of birth and death (samsara).
  3. Approach to Salvation (Moksha or Nirvana):
    • Buddhism: Aims for the attainment of Nirvana, which is a state of liberation from suffering, ignorance, and the cycle of rebirth.
    • Jainism: Seeks to attain Moksha, which is a state of complete spiritual liberation, freedom from samsara, and union with the ultimate reality (Jina).
  4. Concept of God:
    • Buddhism: Generally agnostic or non-theistic. While some Buddhist traditions incorporate devotional practices and deities, they are not central to the core teachings.
    • Jainism: Non-theistic. Jainism does not posit a creator god. Instead, it focuses on spiritual practices, ethics, and self-realization.
  5. Ethical Principles:
    • Buddhism: Emphasizes the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path as the foundational ethical and moral guidelines for leading a virtuous life.
    • Jainism: Emphasizes the Five Great Vows (Mahavrata) which include non-violence (ahimsa), truthfulness (satya), non-stealing (asteya), celibacy (brahmacharya), and non-possessiveness (aparigraha).

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Similarities between Jainism and Buddhism

  1. Non-violence (Ahimsa): Both Jainism and Buddhism place a strong emphasis on non-violence, considering it a fundamental principle for ethical conduct and spiritual progress.
  2. Karma: Both traditions believe in the concept of karma, which is the law of cause and effect. Actions (karma) have consequences, which influence future experiences.
  3. Rejection of Caste System: Both reject the rigid caste system prevalent in ancient Indian society. They advocate for the spiritual equality of all beings.
  4. Renunciation and Asceticism: Both traditions have a history of ascetic practices, including monks and nuns who renounce worldly possessions and lead a life focused on spiritual development.
  5. Rejection of Rituals and Sacrifices: Both Jainism and Buddhism reject the ritualistic practices and sacrificial rites that were prevalent in Vedic religion and early Hinduism.
  6. Sanskrit Literature: Both traditions have their own rich corpus of philosophical and religious texts, written in various Indian languages including Sanskrit, Pali, and Ardhamagadhi.

While Jainism and Buddhism share common cultural and philosophical influences from ancient India, they have distinct interpretations of these ideas and different paths to spiritual realization. These differences have led to the development of unique practices, beliefs, and communities within each tradition.

  • Jainism recognized the existence of god while Buddhism did not.
  • Jainism does not condemn the varna system while Buddhism does.
  • Jainism believed in the transmigration of soul i.e. reincarnation while Buddhism does not.
  • Buddhism prescribes a middle path Jainism advocates for its followers to live the life of complete austerity.

Also Read: Post-Mauryan Period (200 BC – 300 AD) – Clashes, Cultures, and Kingdoms in Ancient India

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

Quick Revise Now !
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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