Buddhism Vs Jainism?

Question

Compare & contrast Buddhism with Jainism.

Answer 1

Buddhism is a dharmic, non-theistic religion, which is also a philosophy and a system of psychology.[1] Buddhism is also known as Buddha Dharma or Dhamma, which means the "teachings of the Awakened One" in Sanskrit and Pali, the languages of ancient Buddhist texts. Buddhism was founded around the fifth century BCE by Siddhartha Gautama, hereafter referred to as "the Buddha".

Early sources say that the Buddha was born in Lumbini (now in Nepal), and that he died around age 80 in Kushinagar (India). He lived around the fifth century BCE, according to scholarship.[2] Buddhism spread throughout the Indian subcontinent in the five centuries following the Buddha's passing, and thence into Asia and elsewhere over the next two millennia.

Indian Buddhism has become virtually extinct, except in parts of Nepal. The most frequently used classification of present-day Buddhism among scholars[3] divides present-day adherents into the following three traditions:

Southern Buddhism, or Theravada (its own usual name for itself), also known as Southeast Asian Buddhism, or Pali Buddhism - practiced mainly in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and parts of Malaysia, Vietnam, China and Bangladesh (Southeast Asia)
Eastern Buddhism, also known as East Asian Buddhism, Chinese Buddhism, Sino-Japanese Buddhism, or Mahayana - practiced predominantly in China, Vietnam, Korea, Japan, Singapore and parts of Russia
Northern Buddhism, also known as Tibetan Buddhism, Tibeto-Mongolian Buddhism, or Vajrayana, sometimes called Lamaism - practiced mainly in Tibet, Mongolia, Bhutan and parts of Nepal, India, China and Russia.
An alternative scheme used by some scholars[4] has just two divisions, Theravada and Mahayana, the latter comprising both Eastern and Northern. Some scholars[5]use other schemes. The term Hinayana, referring to Theravada and various extinct Indian schools, is sometimes used, but is often considered derogatory, and the World Federation of Buddhists recommends it be avoided.

Buddhism continues to attract followers around the world and is considered a major world religion. According to one source,[6] "World estimates for Buddhists vary between 230 and 500 million, with most around 350 million." However, estimates are uncertain for several countries. According to one analysis,[7] Buddhism is the fifth-largest religion in the world behind Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and traditional Chinese religion. The monks' order (Sangha), which began during the lifetime of the Buddha in India, is amongst the oldest organizations on earth.

In Buddhism, any person who has awakened from the "sleep of ignorance" (by directly realizing the true nature of reality), without instruction, is called a buddha.[8] If a person achieves this with the teachings of a buddha, he is called an arahant. Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, is thus only one among other buddhas before or after him. His teachings are oriented toward the attainment of this kind of awakening, also called enlightenment, Bodhi, liberation, or Nirvana.

Part of the Buddha’s teachings regarding the holy life and the goal of liberation is constituted by the "The Four Noble Truths", which focus on dukkha, a term that refers to suffering or the unhappiness ultimately characteristic of unawakened, worldly life. The Four Noble Truths regarding suffering state what is its nature, its cause, its cessation, and the way leading to its cessation. This way to the cessation of suffering is called "The Noble Eightfold Path", which is one of the fundamentals of Buddhist virtuous or moral life.


Jainism (pronounced in English as [ˈdʒeɪ.nɪzm̩], traditionally known as Jain Dharma (जैन धर्म), is a religion and philosophy originating in Ancient India with the teachings of Mahavira (ca. 6th century BC). A minority in modern India, with growing immigrant communities in the United States, Western Europe, Africa, the Far East and elsewhere, Jains continue to sustain the ancient Shraman (श्रमण) or ascetic tradition.

Jains have significantly influenced the religious, ethical, political and economic spheres in India for more than two millennia. Jainism stresses spiritual independence and equality of all life with particular emphasis on non-violence. Self-control (व्रत, vratae) is vital for attaining Keval Gnan and eventually moksha, or realization of the soul's true nature.

Answer 2

I'm familiar with Buddhism, but not so much with Jainism. I just read about Jainism so I'm able to answer.

They were both founded in India, and have many similarities.

Similarities:
Reincarnation as any living being, depending on behavior in last life. Both call themselves non-violent religions. Both accept science as an explanation of the world.

Differences:
Buddhism suggests being a vegetarian, while in Jainism it seems almost mandatory to be vegetarian, and encouraged to be vegan. Jainism has a bit more prophesies about the future than Buddhism.

Answer 3

I am not nearly as familiar with Jainism, but they appear to be quite similar. Buddhism does focus a little more on a main religious leader, Siddhartha Gautama, the most commonly referred to Buddha. While vegetarianism is a factor in both religions, it is a very big deal in Jainism. I see Jainism as focusing more on the here and now and Buddhism as seeking more into our futures. Karma is central to both belief systems.

But like I said, I'm not nearly familiar enough with Jainism to give a good analysis.

Answer 4

both believe in a higher state of mind. Buddhism is much larger that Jainism which for the whole is concentrated in INdia and even there it is very small (only a six million followers) Buddhism believes anyone can achieve this state of mind, whereas Jainism has two differetn sects Digambars (who walk around naked) and believe women cannot acheive pure ness and Svetambaras how wear white and believe women can. A monk named Mahavira started Jainism (a comtemporary of buddhism). Karma is more physical for them and there are different kinds in stead of actions Karma is based on ones materials, no supernatural being can help, basics to avoid accumlating karma are ahimsa (non violence) anekantwad( non abuse) and aprigraha (non attachment). A fun fact, each monk etc. on their palm has a tattoo, amongst the symbols is the swastika hitler borrowed which means smasara the wheel of reincarnation we need to break free from in order for enlighment (called Jina). hmmm what else...well buddihism was started by a prince gone astray named Siddhartha (buddha wasn't his name it was his title meaning enlightened one) When we was 29 he saw old age and eath and poverty by sneaking out of his priveleged shletered life, then he went years walking and in poverty finally became enlighted by a boga tree. Enlightement for them is called Nirvanna, buddhism teaches to not deny and not to indugle, to simply abstain, different from Jainism (which is completely deny) however the monks and nuns do take a vow of poverty. hmmmm those are the basics, sorry if it's kinda of thrown around I just typed what came to mind.
hope this helps (sorry about the typos)

Answer 5

I disagree with your premise. The second Vatican council very clearly stated the favorable opinion of the Catholic Church to other religions. Quotes: Hinduism - "Thus, in Hinduism, men contemplate the divine mystery and express it through an unspent fruitfulness of myths and through searching philosophical enquiry. They seek release from the anguish of our condition through ascetical practices or deep meditation or a loving, trusting flight toward God." Buddhism - "Buddhism in its multiple forms acknowledges the radical insufficiency of this shifting world. It teaches a path by which men, in a devout and confident spirit, can either reach a state of absolute freedom or attain supreme enlightenment by their own efforts or by higher assistance."

Answer 6

I really don't have the time here but if you'd like to email me I can 'enlighten' you, so to speak or you could just crank it into Ask.com and you'll get a compare and contrast.

Answer 7

Phoenix, Greenio and Kam already gave you more than I ever could... I'll point you to their posts... I'm still shaky from my exercise routine

_()_

Answer 8

I'm inclined to suggest that you do your own homework!

Answer 9

Try these sites:

http://www.hinduwebsite.com/jainism/buddhismvsjainism.asp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jainism_and_Buddhism

http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/BUDDHISM/ORIGINS.HTM

http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/Religions/paths/Buddhism.html

Answer 10

it is completely different