About Jainism and Buddhism

In the ancient period, when the society was divided into varnas based on
birth, Brahmins considered themselves as the most superior and dominated
the society. During this time many spiritual leaders stood against the
dominance of the Brahmin priests and two such great leaders of Magadha
were Gautam Buddha and Mahavira Jain. They founded the religions of
Buddhism and Jainism respectively both based on the belief of faith and
Karma. These religions were against the Brahmin belief of supremacy by
birth. Both the founders belong to the Kshatriya family of northern India who
decided to stand against the cruelty of the Brahmins.

Difference between Jainism and Buddhism

The difference between the two religions is tabulated as follows:

Buddhism Jainism
The Five vows are - Truth,
The practice of - Meditation, Non-violence, Non-stealing,
Eightfold Path, to perceive the Non-attachment, also
right view, to get the right control over the desires and
aspiration, to deliver a right senses. With a Greater
Practices speech, to conduct right action, emphasis on non-violence
Involved to live in a right livelihood, to and also the truth. They also
give the right effort, have the follow 3 jewels of the Right
right mindfulness, focus with Perception, Right
the right concentration. Knowledge, and the way to
Right Conduct.
It originated in the
Place of Originated in Magadh
Magadh(modern Bihar and east
Origin (modern Bihar), India.
UP) Indian subcontinent
The idea of an omniscient,
omnipotent, omnipresent
creator is rejected by the
Belief of Jainism does not believe in
Buddhists. The Buddha himself
God the one creator that is God.
refuted the theistic argument
that this universe was created
by a self-conscious God.
Use of They use statues, which are
Statues used as meditation objects, and
Common statutes.
and it is revered as they reflect the
Pictures qualities of the leader Buddha.
Similarities between Jainism and Buddhism
The similarities between the two are listed as follows:
 Both religions believe in faith and Karma.
 Both of them are non-theistic religions.
 They both had a common background associated with the Aryan
Culture.
 Both religions are founded by the Kshatriyas of Northern India.
 Both the religions were against Vedas and the Vedic culture as well as
against Brahmanism.
 Both opposed the sacrifice of animals.
 Both the leaders in their religion preached Satya, Ahimsa,
Brahmacharya, and detachment from the materialistic world.

Jainism History
The origins of the religion Jainism are uncertain. The Jains claim that their
religion is eternal, and they consider Rishabhanatha as the founder in the
present time cycle, he who lived for 8,400,000 Purva years. Rishabhanatha is
the first Tirthankara among the other 24 Tirthankaras who are considered
mythical figures by historians.

Three Principles of Jainism

Jainism is a religion that believes in self-help. In this religion, there are no
gods or any spiritual beings who will help human beings.
The three guiding principles followed by Jainism are called the 'three jewels',
which are –
 Right Belief
 Right Knowledge
 Right Conduct
Also, the supreme principle of the Jain religion is following non-violence or
ahimsa.

Mahavira and Buddha

Mahavira is often regarded as the founder of Jainism, but the Jains believe
that the 23 previous Tirthankaras also embraced the religion. Parshvanatha
was born 273 years before Mahavira was born. Parshvanatha is a Tirthankara
whom the modern Western historians considered to be a historical figure, who
lived in about the 8th century BCE.
Buddhism religion's founder is Gautam Buddha. The word Buddha means the
“enlightened one”. He believed that the path to enlightenment is attained by
utilizing morality, meditation, and gaining wisdom. Buddha's most important
teachings are known as The Four Noble Truths, which are essential to
understand this religion.

Teachings of Mahavira
 1. One should always speak the truth.
2. Control over self is very important.
3. There is no logic in accumulating a lot of wealth that cannot be spent.
4. Be honest with everybody.
5. Following the path of non-violence.
6. Be compassionate towards all living beings.
7. Belief in the Soul and Karma
8. Non-Belief in the one God
9. Rejection of the Rituals
To get more idea about the common and different traits of Buddhism and
Jainism, follow Vedantu. Get to know the insights of subject matter experts
and prepare yourself.

Talk to our experts

1800-120-456-456

Sign In

Jainism and Buddhism

 History

 Jainism and Buddhism

 Download PDF

NCERT Solutions

CBSE

CBSE Study Material

Textbook Solutions

CBSE Notes
LIVE

Join Vedantu’s FREE Mastercalss

Join now

About Jainism and Buddhism

In the ancient period, when the society was divided into varnas based on
birth, Brahmins considered themselves as the most superior and
dominated the society. During this time many spiritual leaders stood
against the dominance of the Brahmin priests and two such great
leaders of Magadha were Gautam Buddha and Mahavira Jain. They
founded the religions of Buddhism and Jainism respectively both based
on the belief of faith and Karma. These religions were against the
Brahmin belief of supremacy by birth. Both the founders belong to the
Kshatriya family of northern India who decided to stand against the
cruelty of the Brahmins.
Difference between Jainism and Buddhism
The difference between the two religions is tabulated as follows:

Buddhism Jainism

The Five vows are - Truth,

The practice of - Meditation,
Non-violence, Non-stealing,
Eightfold Path, to perceive the
Non-attachment, also
right view, to get the right
control over the desires and
aspiration, to deliver a right
senses. With a Greater
speech, to conduct right
Practice emphasis on non-violence
action, to live in a right
s and also the truth. They
livelihood, to give the right
Involved also follow 3 jewels of the
effort, have the right
Right Perception, Right
mindfulness, focus with the
Knowledge, and the way to
right concentration.
Right Conduct.

It originated in the
Place of Originated in Magadh
Magadh(modern Bihar and
Origin (modern Bihar), India.
east UP) Indian subcontinent

The idea of an omniscient,

omnipotent, omnipresent
creator is rejected by the
Belief of Buddhists. The Buddha Jainism does not believe in
God himself refuted the theistic the one creator that is God.
argument that this universe
was created by a self-
conscious God.

They use statues, which are

Use of
used as meditation objects,
Statues
and it is revered as they Common statutes.
and
reflect the qualities of the
Pictures
leader Buddha.

Similarities between Jainism and Buddhism

The similarities between the two are listed as follows:
  Both religions believe in faith and Karma.
 Both of them are non-theistic religions.
 They both had a common background associated with the Aryan
Culture.
 Both religions are founded by the Kshatriyas of Northern India.
 Both the religions were against Vedas and the Vedic culture as well
as against Brahmanism.
 Both opposed the sacrifice of animals.
 Both the leaders in their religion preached Satya, Ahimsa,
Brahmacharya, and detachment from the materialistic world.

Jainism History
The origins of the religion Jainism are uncertain. The Jains claim that their
religion is eternal, and they consider Rishabhanatha as the founder in the
present time cycle, he who lived for 8,400,000 Purva years. Rishabhanatha
is the first Tirthankara among the other 24 Tirthankaras who are
considered mythical figures by historians.

Three Principles of Jainism

Jainism is a religion that believes in self-help. In this religion, there are no
gods or any spiritual beings who will help human beings.
The three guiding principles followed by Jainism are called the 'three
jewels', which are –

 Right Belief
 Right Knowledge
 Right Conduct

Also, the supreme principle of the Jain religion is following non-violence or

ahimsa.

Mahavira and Buddha

Mahavira is often regarded as the founder of Jainism, but the Jains believe
that the 23 previous Tirthankaras also embraced the religion.
Parshvanatha was born 273 years before Mahavira was born.
Parshvanatha is a Tirthankara whom the modern Western historians
considered to be a historical figure, who lived in about the 8th century
BCE.
Buddhism religion's founder is Gautam Buddha. The word Buddha means
the “enlightened one”. He believed that the path to enlightenment is
attained by utilizing morality, meditation, and gaining wisdom. Buddha's
most important teachings are known as The Four Noble Truths, which are
essential to understand this religion.

Teachings of Mahavira
1. One should always speak the truth.
2. Control over self is very important.
3. There is no logic in accumulating a lot of wealth that cannot be
spent.
4. Be honest with everybody.
5. Following the path of non-violence.
6. Be compassionate towards all living beings.
7. Belief in the Soul and Karma
8. Non-Belief in the one God
9. Rejection of the Rituals

To get more idea about the common and different traits of Buddhism and
Jainism, follow Vedantu. Get to know the insights of subject matter experts
and prepare yourself.
Last updated date: 23rd Oct 2023

Total views: 285k

Views today: 2.85k

Is this page helpful?

Courses(Class 3 - 12)

NEET Crash

JEE
 NEET

JEE/NEET Foundation

CBSE

ICSE

Olympiad

LIVE Masterclass
Class 12 passClass 12Class 11Class 10Class 9Class 8Class 7Class 6Class
1-5
LIVE

57

Started at 2:45 pm

Chemistry

Master types of Chemical Reaction in 45mins

By Divyasha Sidana

Join Now
LIVE

57

Started at 2:45 pm

Biology

Revise Life Processes with Sneha Ma'am

By Sneha Sardana

Join Now
LIVE

57

Started at 2:45 pm

Biology

Female Reproductive System - Understanding the Menstrual Cycle

By Sneha Sardana

Join Now
LIVE

52

Starts in

02:56

Biology

10 Most Important Questions from Life Processes

By Sneha Sardana

Join Now
LIVE

52

Starts in

02:56

Mathematics

Introduction to Trigonometry | Mid-term Special

By Ashwarye Saxena

Join Now
View All Live classes
Join Vedantu's Telegram Channel
Get exclusive access to Vedantu founders for thier expert insights, tips & Study Material to ace your
exams.

Join Now

Book your Free Demo session

Get a flavour of LIVE classes here at Vedantu
Book a free demo

Vedantu Improvement Promise

We promise improvement in marks or get your fees back. T&C Apply*

Recently Updated Pages

The Making of the National Movement - Events, Causes and FAQs

India After Independence - History, Questions and Answers
The History of Visual Arts - Explanation, Different Forms and Benefits
Nazism and the Rise of Hitler - Basic Rights, Privileges and Examples
Introduction to Nationalism in India - Different Reasons and FAQs
The Russian Revolution - Effects, Causes and Consequences
 FAQs on Jainism and Buddhism

1. What are Varnas?

The varnas which are known since a hymn in the Rigveda are the oldest surviving
Indian text which portrays and identifies the Brahman priest, the Kshatriya
noble, the Vaishya who is the commoner, and the Shudra who works as a
servant. They are issued forth at creation from the mouth, arms, thighs, and feet
of the primaeval person or the Purusha.

Varna while in context means the "colour, race, tribe, species, kind, sort, nature,
character, quality, property" of an object or a people which in some Vedic and
medieval texts are being referred to. Varna is the four social classes in the Manu
Smriti.

2. What is Aryan Culture?

3. What do you mean by Ahimsa?

4. What are the main beliefs of Buddhism?








5. What is the goal of Buddhism and Jainism?

6. What is the present status of Buddhism in the world?

7. What are the main principles on which Jainism stands?

8. What are the main sects of Jainism?