Buddhism and Jainism

General Studies

Key Similarities and Differences in 6 BC had led to lot of tensions and History conflicts. Moreover, the vaishyas, between Buddhism and Jainism who had emerged as a new class with Similarities Differences increased trade and commerce, were Both originated and developed from Jainism remained confined largely to its land of origin looking for a new religion to improve Buddhism and Jainism the same geographical zone while Buddhism spread to other countries like Sri Lanka, their social position and they started Japan, Nepal, Tibet and in Central Asia espousing to the cause of the hetero- Both accepted Karma Jainism stressed nudity and chastity, Buddhism did not dox sects. Finally, the new forms of property, created social inequalities Both rejected Vedas and Jainism gave importance to ascetism including suicide of and caused misery and suffering to Buddhism and Jainism originated around the 6th Century BC near Brahmanas starvation, Buddhism did not the masses. So the common people the modern Bihar region. Initially referred to as the heterodox sects, Both avoided rituals Jainism was extreme on Ahimsa yearned to get back to ascetic ideal. Both stressed ethical rules of life Buddhism says, soul exists only in plants and animals. both have managed to create an impact among their followers But according to Jainism soul is present in every animate Jainism and inanimate object The origin of Jainism is a contentious Both were taught in language of Buddhism spread to other parts of the world, while issue. The names of the two Jain Tirt- common people Jainism, remained confined to India. hankaras Rishabha and Arishtanemi are found in the Rig Veda. The Jainas Buddhist monks praying before the idol of Lord Buddha at a temple believe that their most important in Sarnath, a major pilgrimage centre in Uttar Pradesh religious teacher Mahavira was not n a world ravaged by conflicts even to Babylon. The towns became the founder of the new religious sys- and tensions, there can be no good markets and both artisans and tem, but the last of a long succes- teachings as pertinent as those of crafts were organised into guilds. sion of twenty-four Thirthankaras Buddha. Originating around the As barter system became prevalent, or ‘ford-makers across the stream of same I period as Buddhism was Jain- there was localisation of crafts and existence’. Not much is known about ism, which also thrived on similar industries that led to emergence of the first twenty-two Thirtankaras preaching but with minor differences. artisans and merchants as important except Parsvanatha (the predeces- At a time when Brahmanical Hindu- social groups. The changing features sor of Mahavira), who was the son ism dominated Indian subcontinent, of social and economic life such as of the king of Banaras. He enjoined Buddhism and Jainism were viewed growth of towns, expansion of the on his disciples the four great vows as the heretical sects. The growth of artisan class and the rapid develop- of non-injury (ahimsa), truthfulness such sects was also closely related to ment of trade and commerce were (satya), non-stealing (asateya) and the growth of urbanization, creation closely linked with changes in the non-possession (aparigraha). To of new merchant and artisan class as religious and philosophical sphere. these Mahavira later added the vow well as the implicit social tensions. of continence or brahmacharya. Rise of the heterodox sects Emergence of urban centres Owing to the increased role of mer- Mahavira The intense commercialization and chants and artisans in a society that Vardhamana Mahavira was born in the rise of new social classes led to had its basis in trade and commerce, 540 BC to Siddartha, head of the the rise of the new religions. Archaeo- there were intellectual and philo- Jnatrika clan and Trishala (connect- logically, 6 BC marks the beginning of sophical responses. The period was ed to the royal family of Magadha) in the Northern Black Polished (NBP) characterised by the parivrajakas Vaishali (north Bihar). He was mar- phase, characterised by glossy, shin- or sramanas, who renounced their ried and led a life of a householder ing type of pottery as well as use of household status. They wandered till the age of 30. Then he decided iron implements and the beginning from place to place with the objec- to abandon his family in his hope of metallic money. After the Harap- tive of meeting and having discus- to search for the truth. For twelve pan towns, the NBP phase marked sions with their peers. They propa- long years, he wandered from place the beginning of the second phase gated their ideas during their jour- to place doing penance. At the age of urbanisation in the Indian sub- ney. The sramanas were united over of 42, he attained omniscience or continent with the emergence of their opposition to the established enlightenment at a small village near towns in the Middle Gangetic basin tradition of the Brahmins based on river Rijupalika. He was now a Keva- like Kaushambi, Sravasti, Ayodhya, cult of sacrifice. They opposed the lin (Omniscient), a Jina (conquer- Rajgir, Pataliputra and Champa. claims of Brahmana’s pre-eminence or) and Mahavira (the great hero). Pali texts refer to sea-voyages and in society and were regarded as the He became the head of a sect called of trading journeys to the coast of heterodox sects by the society. The Nigranthas (free from fetters), known Burma, the Malay world, Ceylon and varna system that divided the society in later times as Jainas or followers ROHIT GAUTAM

54 Competition360 APRIL 2012 APRIL 2012 Competition360 55