Differences between Jainism and Buddhism

23 Apr

Basis	Jainism	Buddhism
Founder	Mahavira	Gautama Buddha
Concept of Soul (Atman)	Believes in soul (Jiva)	Denies permanent soul (Anatta)
Doctrine	Triratna: Right Faith, Knowledge, Conduct	Four Noble Truths + Eightfold Path
Nature of Ahimsa	Extreme Ahimsa (strict)	Moderate Ahimsa
Asceticism	Very strict (extreme penance)	Middle Path (avoids extremes)
Liberation Goal	Moksha (freedom of soul)	Nirvana (end of suffering)
Attitude to God	No creator God, but accepts souls	Non-theistic (silent on God)
Spread	Limited mainly to India	Spread widely to Asia (Sri Lanka, China, Japan, SE Asia)
Monastic Rules	Very rigid	Comparatively flexible
Clothing (Monks)	Digambaras → no clothes, Shvetambaras → white clothes	Yellow/ochre robes

Similarities between Jainism and Buddhism

Both emerged in the 6th century BCE as reform movements against Vedic rituals and Brahmanical dominance
Founded by Mahavira (Jainism) and Gautama Buddha (Buddhism)
Both rejected the authority of the Vedas
Opposed caste system rigidity and ritual sacrifices (yajnas)
Emphasized ethical conduct, morality, and self-discipline
Believed in Karma and rebirth (samsara)
Aim: Liberation from cycle of birth and death (Moksha / Nirvana)
Promoted non-violence (Ahimsa) and compassion
Used Prakrit/Pali language instead of Sanskrit for wider reach
Supported monastic life (Sangha system)

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