How do jainism and Buddhism differ?

Answer 1

Islam teaches us to believe in the oneness of Allah and not to associate any partner with Him. Islam also teaches to believe in all the prophets, angels and all the books given to these prophets.

Answer 2

While there are indeed many differences between these two great faiths, there are also some similarities. Buddhism and Jainism are both eastern religions which originated in and around India: they share a belief in karma, dharma, reincarnation, meditation, and maintaining a vegetarian lifestyle; many Buddhists and Jains also share a strong belief in ahimsa-- non-injury (in other words, not engaging in wars, not harming animals, etc). And both believe that their founders were great teachers but not necessarily gods. (But while Buddha and Mahavira are not supposed to be regarded as gods, many Buddhists and Jains offer prayers before an altar with Buddha's or Mahavira's image on it.)

Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama Shakyamuni (whose honorary title is "Buddha"-- or the enlightened one). Buddha taught that by following his teachings, there could be an end to suffering and misery, and that believers could ultimately attain liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Among Buddha's teachers were the "eightfold path": this was a way of living that would lead believers to discover their true nature and no longer be impeded by illusion and distorted perceptions. These desirable qualities included right understanding, right attitude, right speech, right action, and right livelihood. Buddhists use different scriptures from Jains (Buddhists use the Sutras and other writings based on Buddha's teachings; Jains use the Agamas, which are holy writings based on the teachings of Mahavira.)

The Jain religion was said to be founded by Adinatha, but some historians believe he may have been mythical; we do know that another great religious teacher named Mahavira is widely recognized as the spiritual leader of the Jain religion. Buddha and Mahavira both taught different sets of beliefs, and offered followers guidance about how to end the negative emotions like greed or envy that cause human beings to suffer. Mahavira put much more stress on austerity and self-control, as well as on non-violence; in fact, ahimsa is so important to many Jains that to this day, some will not even hurt an insect. (On the other hand, most Jains are practical, and they do believe in being allowed to defend oneself against harm, should such a situation occur.) The name "jain" comes from "jina"-- or conquerer. By following the teachings of Mahavira, one can learn to conquer one's selfish tendencies and find inner peace, as well as ultimate liberation from the material world.

Answer 3

Buddhism & Jainism

The school of Buddhism evolved in the eastern

part of India in 563 BCE. More or less at the same

time (in & around 550 BCE) another school,

Jainism, with almost similar thoughts, was

developing in the same part of India. The founder

of Jainism, Lord Mahavira was a contemporary of

Lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism and even

the Buddhist texts called Lord Mahavira 'an

enlightened being'.

In the sixth century BCE and the preceding era,

when both the schools of thought were developing

and spreading their horizon, no rivalry seemed to

have existed between them. This was because of

the fact that both the religions almost believed in

the same facts and philosophy of life. However,

both differed on some of the views such as

salvation and soul which led to their separate

ways.

Similarities Between Buddhism And Jainism

On God

Buddhism : The original Buddhist doctrine does

not entail any godly figures, though the later

Buddhist sects introduced some Godly figures. The

Buddhists believe in the Godlike figures or the

Bodhisattvas, who take interest in the welfare of

the world and work for its liberation.

Jainism : Alike Buddhism, Jainism also denies the

existence of God, though they acknowledge the

presence of the Jinas or Kevalins, who are higher

than human beings in status but subject to change

and evolution. However, unlike the Bodhisattvas,

the Kevalins are rather indifferent to the prayers

and problems and remain unaffected.

On Nirvana

Buddhism : In Buddhism, nirvana is freedom from

the cycle of rebirth, when a being turns into a

state of non-being, or Sunya, looses its identity

and becomes nothing.

Jainism : In Jainism, nirvana is a state of moksha,

where a being looses its identity and is free from

the cycle of birth and death.

On Liberation

Buddhism : The path of liberation in Buddhism

goes through good conduct and good deeds, as

mentioned in Eightfold path, Four Noble Truths,

Five Preceptions and other moral conducts.

Jainism : Similarly, the path of liberation in

Jainism is to follow right perception, right

knowledge, and right conduct. One has to

overcome the worldly desires and feelings to

attain liberation or to become a perfect soul.

On Yogic Practices

Buddhism : Buddhism emphasises on the practice

of mediation and other forms of Yoga to

concentrate on inner self.

Jainism : In Jainism as well, meditation and other

yogic practices are essential for self purification

and liberation.

On Non-Violence

Buddhism : Buddhism is a peaceful religion with

non-violence at the heart of its thoughts and

behaviour.

Jainism : Non-violence followed in action,

thought, and speech is the highest morale in

Jainism.

Difference Between Buddhism And Jainism

On Karma

Buddhism : Buddhism believes in the universality

of Karma, which is a result of one's action.

Jainism : Jainism also believes in the universality

of karma and its effect on human beings. But,

unlike Buddhism, karma, according to Jainism, is

not a mere effect of one's actions, but a real

substance that flows into each individual body or

jiva. This karmic substance remains with a being

until good conduct and self purification eliminates

them.

On Soul

Buddhism : According to Buddhism, soul is an

individuality that does exist in plants and animals,

but not in non-living or inanimate things.

Jainism : According to Jainism, soul is present in

every animate and inanimate object of the

universe including its elements - earth, water,

wind, fire and air.

On The Status And Evolution of Individual Beings

Buddhism : After Nirvana, there is no soul, but the

individuality of an individual that passes into

nothingness, which is beyond any description and

speculation.

Jainism : After Nirvana, the soul continues to

remain as an individual soul, but in the highest

state of purity and enlightenment.

Survival And Disappearence : Over a period of

time, while Buddhism disappeared from the Indian

soil, Jainism survived in India, with its teachings

intact, mostly untouched by the overwhelming

philosophy and practices of Hinduism, at the same

time imparting to the later some of its noblest

ideas.

Besides, a major difference lies in the dominions

of both the religions. Though both, Buddhism and

Jainism, originated and developed individually in

the same geographical area of India, but

difference lies in their spread. While Buddhism

crossed the frontiers of its motherland and went

to other parts of the Indian subcontinent, Central

Asia, far eastern countries, and parts of North

America and Europe as well, whereas Jainism, on

the other hand, remained confined to India, the

land of its origin.

Answer 4

Buddhism and Jainism are two branches of the Shramana tradition that still exist today. Jainism has historically been largely confined toIndia, whereas Buddhism flourished beyond the borders of its country of origin where it declined during the Middle Ages. Mahavira and Gautama Buddha were contemporaries and according to the Pali scriptures Gautama Buddha was aware of Mahavira's existence as well as his community of monks. Jainism and Buddhism share many features including much of the same terminology. There is no doubt that there was a mutual influence and reception of both religions although Jainism does appear to be an older spiritual tradition out of which Buddhism may have grown.[citation needed]

Buddhism separates itself from the Jain tradition by teaching an alternative to "extreme asceticism". Buddhist scriptures record that during Prince Siddhartha's ascetic life (before the great enlightenment) he undertook many fasts, penances and austerities, the descriptions of which are elsewhere found only in the Jain tradition (for example, the penance by five fires, plucking of hair, and the consumption of food using only one's cupped hands). Ultimately, the Buddha abandoned reliance upon these methods on his discovery of a middle way. In Jainism, there exists a non-extreme pathway for lay persons with minor vows. Some Buddhist teachings, principles, and terms used in Buddhism are identical to those of Jainism, but they may hold different or variant meanings for each.

Although both Buddhists and Jains had orders of nuns, Buddhist Pali texts record the Buddha saying that a woman has the ability to obtainNirvana in the Buddha Dhamma and Vinaya. Jain traditions differ on the issue of enlightenment for women, with the Digambaras stating that women are capable of spiritual progress but must be reborn male in order to attain final spiritual liberation and the Shvetambara sect maintaining that liberation is attainable by both males and females.[1]

The Jain community is composed of four sections: sadhus, sadhvis (also referred to as shramanas and shramanis), and laymen and laywomen (or grhastins "householders") who have not abandoned worldly affairs.

Buddhism has a similar organisation: the community consists of renunciate bhikkhus and bhikkhunis and male and female laypersons who take limited vows.

Whether or not it was an influence of Jain culture and philosophy in ancient Bihar that gave rise to Buddhism is unclear, but there are some striking similarities between the two traditions, and Buddhism may have adopted many of its ideas and traditions from preexisting ones held by the Jains. The Buddha Nirvana calendar (with a zero point in 544 BCE) may actually be significantly older than the Kaliyuga calendar. And so, quite possibly, is the Mahavira Nirvana calendar of the Jains (with a zero point in 527 BCE).[2]

Mahavira and Gautama Buddha were contemporaries. The Pali Canon does not record that the two teachers ever met, though instances of Mahavira's disciples questioning Gautama Buddha are to be found in various suttas. The Buddhists have always maintained that by the time the Buddha and Mahavira were alive, Jainism was already an entrenched faith and culture in the region. Buddhist scriptures record philosophical dialogues between the wandering seeker Siddhartha Gautama (who was to become the Buddha) and Udaka Ramaputta and the first of several teachers that he studied with before his enlightenment. Buddhist scriptures attest that some of the first Buddhists were Jains (Nirgranthas) who "converted", but were encouraged by the Buddha to maintain their Jain identity and practises such as giving alms to Jain monks and nuns.

Buddhists recorded that Mahāvīra preached the "fourfold restraint" of the Nirgrantha tradition-a clear reference to the teachings of Mahāvīra's predecessor Parshva (877-777 BCE), traditionally the 23rd Tirthankara of Jainism-who propounded the four vows of Ahimsa, Satya (truth), Aparigraha (non-possessiveness), and Asteya (non-stealing), which may have been the template for the Five Precepts of Buddhism. Additionally, the Buddhist Anguttara Nikaya scripture quotes the independent philosopher Purana Kashyapa (the sixth century BCE founder of a now-extinct order) as listing the Nirgranthas as one of the six major classifications of humanity. The Pali texts mention the Buddha referring to the liberation of Mahavira (referred to as Niggantha Nataputta) at Pava.[citation needed]

Answer 5

Bhuddism follows Buddhas teachings and Jain Follows the 24 gods of this era(tirthankars) who all give teachings.