Similarities & Differences between Jainism and Buddhism | History Optional for UPSC PDF Download

Similarities Between Jainism and Buddhism

• Both Jainism and Buddhism trace their origins to the Upanishads and share a common cultural background rooted in Aryan tradition.
• They emerged as responses to the prevailing pessimistic outlook of their time.
• Both religions arose as critiques of orthodox Brahmanical Hinduism.
• Buddhism and Jainism originated in Eastern India, where Aryan culture had a limited impact. Despite some infiltration of Aryanism in Eastern India, elements of pre-Aryan culture persisted, contributing to the rise of these revolutionary anti-Brahmanical creeds.
• In terms of core philosophical concepts, Buddhism and Jainism drew inspiration from Sankhya philosophy.
• Both Buddhists and Jains share the belief that the world is filled with suffering, and the goal of religion is to free the soul from worldly miseries by eliminating rebirth. This idea of suffering and the impact of Karma was derived from the Upanishads and Sankhya philosophy.
• Mahavira and Buddha both rejected the authority of the Vedas and the effectiveness of Vedic rituals.
• They denied the existence of a supreme God and advocated for asceticism, moral, and ethical principles.
• Non-violence as a means of salvation was emphasized by both teachers.
• Both religions dismissed the caste system.
• Jainism and Buddhism had a significant following among the mercantile class.
• Mahavira and Buddha delivered their teachings in the language of the common people.

Differences Between Jainism and Buddhism

Origins and Founders

• Jainism is an ancient belief system that predates Mahavira, with at least 23 Tirthankaras before him. Mahavira, the last Tirthankara, did not establish a new religion but introduced reforms within Jainism.
• Buddhism, on the other hand, was entirely new and did not exist before Buddha.

Concept of Soul

• The Jaina concept of the soul (Jiva) and matter (Ajiva) differs significantly from the Buddhist understanding of the soul.
• Jainas believe in ascribing life to plants, stones, and water, a notion rejected by Buddhists.

Practices and Asceticism

• Jainas practice rigorous asceticism and self-mortification, with Mahavira himself undergoing extreme physical hardships to attain Truth and advising his followers to do the same.
• Buddha, in contrast, opposed extreme penance and advocated for the "Middle Path." He also denounced the practice of discarding garments, which Mahavira encouraged.

Ahimsa (Non-Violence)

• Jainism practices an extreme form of Ahimsa, not tolerating the killing of even the smallest insects or germs and ascribing life to inanimate objects like stones and wood.
• Buddhists believe in Ahimsa but do not observe it to the same extreme degree.

Karma and Nirvana

• Jainism seeks to eliminate the negative effects of Karma through rigorous penance, self-mortification, and non-violence, rejecting the Buddhist concept of Nirvana.
• Buddhists believe that the negative effects of Karma cannot be extinguished in this life and focus on eliminating the harmful impulses that create Karma.

Relationship with Hinduism

• Jainism is more accommodating to Hinduism, not entirely rejecting the caste system and employing Brahmanical priests for worship.
• Buddhism, however, completely severed ties with Hinduism and rejected the caste system altogether.

Rivalry and Development

• Buddhist literature often criticizes Jaina doctrines, indicating a historical rivalry between the two creeds.
• In later developments, Buddhism became a global religion while Jainism had limited progress beyond India.
• Buddhists were more active in missionary efforts, whereas Jainas did not seek large-scale conversions either in India or abroad.

Current Status

• While Buddhism has largely disappeared from India, Jainism remains a vibrant faith influencing millions of Indians.
• Jainism had significant centers in Mathura and Ujjaini, with numerous inscriptions found in these areas.