Are Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism three separate religions, or just traditions?

Question

Some people want Buddhists and Jains to call themselves Hindus. This question is for you. On one hand I do respect you because you do not intend to single us out. But I am curious on what you think about this.

About 7 years ago I used to call my self a Hindu until I realised the difference. Five of my friends back in High School were Hindu. Every year when they did their fasting, I was the one who did not feel apart of their tradition as much as I wanted to. I had no idea what was going on, whereas they had no idea about what was going on when our occasions came. My auntie is comes from a Brahman family, and she’s gone for someone’s Janoy. We have never done this so I have no clue how it works. Immediately I feel as if I am separated traditional wise. This does not effect our relations, but just that we have different belief systems.

I am not personally religious and for me the difference was not in our religion, but in our traditional ways. So thus, I do not call myself a Jain because of my religion, but because of our separate traditions.

I have no problem if you want to regard me as a Hindu at all. But wouldn’t it be confusing if Buddhists and Jains started calling themselves Hindu’s?

Apologies for the length of my question.

Answer 1

Jainism and Buddhism are offshoots of Hinduism. Over time Jainism and Buddhism grew in popularity and developed their own rituals and customs which were a bit different from the Hindus.

Here we need to understand that the primary aim of these two religions was to denounce the then prevalant dogma in Hindus, and to offer a more socially acceptable religion to the masses. Hence many a customs and rituals which are followed in Hinduism were done away with and newer customs introduced.

Over the passage of time the people following these modified paths grew in number and were recognised as a different sect and group.

Amongsts Jains and Buddhists, the belief system of Jains including mythological characters are closer to Hindus, than those of the Buddhists'.

Answer 2

Buddhists can be Hindus or Jains (or Christian or atheist). Buddha was once asked about the existence of god and he refused to answer. His justification is that his teaching is only concerned with the alleviation of suffering. Whether god exists or not neither creates nor removes the suffering that exists and therefore is not within the scope of his teaching. I am less familiar with the traditions of Jainism but from the friends I have that are Jain I would not consider it the same as Hinduism. Of course Hinduism is sort of an umbrella term for the worship of many deities but that is another question for another time. To me this question is like asking if Christianity and Islam are religions or if they should all be called Jews. Jesus was a Jew, Buddha was a Hindu. Because a tradition arose from another tradition does not mean it does not stand on its own merit.

Answer 3

I, too, am ignorant of Jainism.

While Buddhism sprang out of Hinduism, there are quite real differences between them. The main two, I guess, are these . . .
Anatta. Hinduism, like most other religions, believes in a permanent, immortal soul, an atman, which journeys from life to life. Buddhism says that there is no permanent 'I'. That the being which dies is different in every respect from the one that was born.
God / Gods. Hinduism has Gods - and other people on this site are much better qualified than me to talk about that.
Buddhism does not concern itself with higher powers. It neither confirms nor denies the existence of God or Gods.

Can somebody correct me if I'm wrong here? I know that Buddhism is something that you DO. Isn't Hinduism something that you ARE? (Obviously it has its deep and awe-inspiring practices as well).

Answer 4

Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism are only different traditions not religion. If you study in depth of any religion you will find every where all the basic things are same only there are some different arrangements to prove them different. You might take Muslims / Christens in this contest also. Every body says that do not lie, love every body, do not hurt any body etc. etc. That means every body following same ethics under different names, and there appearance is as per the requirement of nature. You will find humanity is only the religion others are tradiations.

The society grows in its own way, when ever any one whom is very loyal towards human being and humanity and have power to change the traditions, a mob of peoples goes with him the unwanted traditions get broken and new get formed the current society throws them out of society to get united and to fight for there life this group allots name to it and after ward it is called as religion.

Answer 5

The three are distinctively different religions. It is the proverbial largeheratedness of Hindu community that Jains and Buddhista are counted among the fraternity. There have been Hindu Sages who have, similarly, counted Muslims, as holders of a true religion, with a True Book and a True Prophet. But they are as apart as the Jains and Buddists. The fundamentals differ.

Answer 6

Dear Stripes,

As Swami Vivekananda said"As different streams having different sources all mingle their waters in the sea, so different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to God. "

So all religion lead and preach one thing,as Religion is given life by the spirituality of those practicing it.

Religion broadly is study and following what is laid down in the scriptures for improving upon our level of Life. To live a Life full of moral values and ethical practices.

As religion is an organized system of worship that gives a framework to the relationship we have with the universe and with a higher power.

So keep enjoying it,if it makes you at peace and give smile,

Angelfromgod

Answer 7

Originally they were very different & still are to a certain extent, in my view.

Buddhism & Jainism arose as 'Srama.na traditions in protest against the Brahmanical tradition of the day. (In particular to caste & sacrificial tendencies).

"In search of the good, I went".

It can be compared to many people's dissatisfaction with 'organised religion', in the West these days.

Jainism was critiqued by the Buddha for being fairly extreme (eg in wearing masks to prevent from inhaling insects), also in some ways, naive.

Brahmanism can be seen as the pond from which the lotus of the Buddha was born...

But the lotus retains its identity, its individuality, its being something different, above.

Over the centuries there has been a fair amount of borrowing of ideas & mixing, ('syncretism'), and this is a good thing.

But I think Buddhism is something special, something unique. I think it has something which is 'beyond the world'.

Answer 8

Hindu is a group of religions. Buddhism began in a Hind culture but it is not Hindu religion and is actually a denial of the Hindu faith.
I am not familiar enough with Jainism to comment.

Answer 9

Stripes Dear

Hinudism is also known as Sanatan Dharma i.e It was present even when the Shrishti started.

Its like a Grand Bayan Tree - many offshoots and many more branches and sub branches - Buddhism, Jainism and many others .

Its Like my Great Grand father - His sons - and then their Sons and then theirs - from one Liinege may be there exist 12 separate brancehes like religions, traditions etc.

I have tried to be as short as possible.

Rgds

Answer 10

Not really it wouldn't confuse I cant believe Buddhist/Jains cant feel the difference.