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With reference to the difference between Jainism and Buddhism, consider the following statements
1. Jainism believes in Vedas and its philosophy, while Buddhism does not believe in Vedas.
2. Jainism believes in the existence of soul while Buddhism does not believe in the existence of the soul.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
  • a)
    1 only
  • b)
    2 only
  • c)
    Both 1 and 2
  • d)
    Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
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Verified Answer
With reference to the difference between Jainism and Buddhism, conside...
Statement 1 is incorrect. There were 23 Tirthankaras or great-learned men in Jain religion before Mahavira. It is commonly mistaken that Mahavira was the founder of Jainism, instead he was the last and 24th tirthankara. He would achieve the goal of spirituality and teach others the right way to get moksha or liberation. He is like an incarnation of god who is in the form of a human body and has to go through penance and meditation to reach the pure stage of the soul. Jainism, like Buddhism, rejects the authority of the Vedas. 
Statement 2 is correct. Unlike Buddhism, Jainism believes in the existence of soul (atman). Soul is the core and the fundamental focus of the Jain philosophy. It is the soul that experiences existence and gains knowledge, not mind nor body as both are believed to be a heap of matter.  
Basic similarities and differences between Jainism and Buddhism are as follows; 
Similarities:
  • The source of both the religion is vedic religion and both are indebted to Upanishads
  • Both Gautam Buddha and Mahavira belonged to princely families. and not to priestly families.
  • Both deny the existence of God.
  • Both denied the authority of the Vedas and the necessity of performing sacrifices and rituals.
  • Both have accepted the theories of Karma rebirth and Moksha.
  • Both taught in the language of the common people i.e. Prakrit and not in Sanskrit which was the language of the priests.
  • Both of them were opposed to animal sacrifices.
  • Both of them admitted disciples from all castes and from both sexes.
  • Ahimsa is the prominent principle of both the religions.
  • Both Buddhism and Jainism put stress on right conduct and right knowledge and not on religious ceremonial and ritual as the way to obtain salvation.
  • Both, the religions came as a sort of reform of Hindu religion.
  • Both the Religions were later on divided into two sects. Buddhism was divided into Mahayana and Hinayana. Jainism was divided into Svetambara and Digambara.
  • Both had their own three gems or ‘Tri Ratna’. Tri Ratna of Jainism were right philosophy right knowledge and right character. The Triratna of Buddhism were Budhha, Dhamma and Sangha.
  • Both had three main religious texts. Tripitaka, i.e. Vinay Pathak, Suttapitaka and Abhidhamma pitaka were the three religious texts of Buddhism, where as Anga i.e, Anga, Upanga and Mulgrajitha were those of Jainism. 
Dissimilarities: 
  •  Difference regarding conception Moksha: According to Buddhism, a man attains Moksha when he ends all the desires and can attain it while living in the world. But according to Jainism Moksha is freedom from miseries and can be attained only after death.
  • Means of attainment of Moksha: According to Buddhist Sangha is proper for attainment of Moksha and they hate self-mortifications and severe penances. Jainism believes in fasts and severest penances.
  • Ahimsa: Though both emphasise the principle of Ahimsa, yet Jainism is more strict in this connection. 
  • Soul: Buddhists do not believe in the existence of soul whereas Jainism believes the existence of soul in every living being.
  • Regarding Conduct: Buddhism emphasises the eight noble paths whereas Jainism emphasises Tri Ratna.
  • Language of Religious texts : Most of the Jain texts are in Sanskrit and Prakrit whereas Buddhist text are in Pali.
  • Their connection with Hinduism: Jain religion is nearer to Hinduism whereas Buddhism followed the policy of keeping away from Hinduism.
  • Caste system: Jains opposed it but Buddhism opposed and attacked vehemently.
  • Royal support and patronage: Buddhism received royal support and patronage of kings like Ashoka and Kanishka. But Jainism could never receive strong royal support and Patronage.
  • Propagation: Buddhism spread to foreign countries whereas Jainism did not travel outside the boundaries of India. 
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Most Upvoted Answer
With reference to the difference between Jainism and Buddhism, conside...
Statement Analysis:

1. Jainism believes in Vedas and its philosophy, while Buddhism does not believe in Vedas.
- This statement is incorrect. Jainism does not believe in Vedas, but it has its own set of scriptures known as Agamas.
- Buddhism, on the other hand, does not consider the Vedas as authoritative texts and does not rely on them for its philosophy.

2. Jainism believes in the existence of soul while Buddhism does not believe in the existence of the soul.
- This statement is correct. Jainism believes in the concept of the soul (Jiva) which is eternal and undergoes cycles of birth and death until it achieves liberation (moksha).
- Buddhism, on the contrary, does not accept the existence of a permanent, unchanging soul. It teaches the concept of anatta (non-self), stating that there is no permanent essence or soul within a person.
Therefore, the correct statement among the given options is:

2 only (b)
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With reference to the difference between Jainism and Buddhism, consider the following statements1. Jainism believes in Vedas and its philosophy, while Buddhism does not believe in Vedas.2. Jainism believes in the existence of soul while Buddhism does not believe in the existence of the soul.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
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With reference to the difference between Jainism and Buddhism, consider the following statements1. Jainism believes in Vedas and its philosophy, while Buddhism does not believe in Vedas.2. Jainism believes in the existence of soul while Buddhism does not believe in the existence of the soul.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2024 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about With reference to the difference between Jainism and Buddhism, consider the following statements1. Jainism believes in Vedas and its philosophy, while Buddhism does not believe in Vedas.2. Jainism believes in the existence of soul while Buddhism does not believe in the existence of the soul.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for With reference to the difference between Jainism and Buddhism, consider the following statements1. Jainism believes in Vedas and its philosophy, while Buddhism does not believe in Vedas.2. Jainism believes in the existence of soul while Buddhism does not believe in the existence of the soul.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?.
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