The subject I liked recently
The similarities between Buddhism and Jainism and Buddha and Mahavira
are much more pronounced.
No creator god
There is no creator god in Jainism.
There is no creator god in Buddhism.
No creation myth
There is no creation myth in Jainism, a first beginning is not knowable.
There is no creation myth in Buddhism, a first beginning is not knowable.
Previous founders
Mahavira was not the founder, but rather the re-discoverer of the
truth according to Jainism.
Buddha was not the founder, but rather the re-discoverer of the truth
according to Buddhism.
24 prior teachers
According to Jainism there are 24 known tirthankaras who discovered
the truth after a time when the teachings were lost.
According to Buddhism (Buddhavamsa) there were 24 previous Buddhas who
discovered the truth (plus 3 in prehistoric times and Gotama-Buddha
for a total of 28.
Warrior caste
Mahavira was born into the ksatriya caste (warrior caste).
Buddha was born into the ksatriya caste (warrior caste).
Siddhatha
Mahavira was born to a ksatriyan chief named Siddhatha.
Buddha was to a ksatriyan chief and Buddha's birth name was Siddhatha.
Yasoda
Mahavira married a woman named Yasoda.
Buddha married a woman named Yasoda.
One child
Mahavira had one child (a daughter).
Buddha had one child (a son).
Height of 6 feet
It is reported that Mahavira was 6 feet tall (1.83m)
It is reported that Buddha was 6 feet tall (1.83m)
Enlightenment under a tree
Mahavira renounced the world at age 20 attained enlightenment under a
tree at 28 and lived to 72 years.
Buddha renounced the world at age 29 attained enlightenment under a
tree at 35 and lived to 80 years.
Asceticism
Mahavira practiced asceticism toward enlightenment.
Buddha practiced asceticism toward / prior to enlightenment.
Dharma Shramana
Jainism is in the Dharma category of religions that practice Shramana,
which includes forms of renunciation and mental purification.
Buddhism is in the Dharma category of religions that practice
Shramana, which includes forms of renunciation and mental
purification.
Yellow
The color yellow is associated with Mahavira
The color yellow is associated with Buddha (he wore yellow robes) and
yellow is a common color in Buddhist temples
Rejection of caste
Jainism rejects caste distinctions based on birth.
Buddhism rejects caste distinctions based on birth.
5 precepts
There are 5 great vows or precepts in Jainism.
There are 5 primary precepts in Buddhism.
First Precept of Ahimsa
The first precept in Jainism is Ahimsa (non-violence), which extends
to all living beings.
The first precept in Buddhism is to not kill, which extends to all
living beings.
Second precept
A second precept in Jainism is Satya (truthfulness).
A second precept in Buddhism is truthfulness.
Third precept
A third precept in Jainism is Asteya (not stealing).
A third precept in Buddhism is not stealing.
Fourth precept
A fourth precept in Jainism is Brahmacharya (celibacy for monks and
nuns no sexual misconduct for lay people).
A fourth precept in Buddhism is to refrain from sexual misconduct
(celibacy for monks and nuns).
Fifth precept
A fifth precept in Jainism in is Aparigraha non-materialism,
non-attachment to material things.
A fifth precept in Buddhism is refrain from intoxicating drinks and
drugs which lead to carelessness. (The only precept of the 5 which is
somewhat different, but not completely different since the Buddhist
version is also calling for no attachment.)
Fourfold assembly
Mahavira instituted a fourfold assembly of monks, nuns, lay men, and lay women.
Buddha instituted a fourfold assembly of monks, nuns, lay men, and lay women.
Nirvana (Nibbana)
Jainism teaches that one must undergo pure conduct, practice
meditation and attain enlightenment, release from rebirth.
Buddhism teaches that one must undergo pure conduct, practice
meditation and attain enlightenment, release from rebirth.
The other shore
In Jainism the tirthankaras are known as ford-makers, who have crossed
the river of samsara and rebirth.
In Buddhism the simile of crossing the ocean to the other shore is
frequently used to describe enlightenment, nibbana.
Middle Way
The Buddha is of course famous for his Middle Way, breaking away from
the ascetics by bathing and taking some food prior to enlightenment.
But how much of a break-away from asceticism was it? By today's
standards the practice of the Buddha would most certainly be still
considered asceticism. As he sat for enlightenment the Buddha
remarked:
"Though my skin, my nerves and my bones shall waste away and my life
blood go dry, I will not leave this seat until I have attained the
highest wisdom, called supreme enlightenment, that leads to
everlasting happiness." (Majjhima Nikaya 70)
Such was the Buddha's persistence and determination to attain
enlightenment. The Buddha took food for nourishment and strength from
Sujata and then according to some traditions or legends sat in
meditation for several days before attaining enlightenment. Although
not in the Suttas, in the Commentaries there is the report that the
Buddha ate this meal and did not eat for 49 days (J.i.68f.; DhA.i.71),
which would be considered asceticism at least by today's standards if
not by the ascetic standard of ancient India. Even if it was a large
meal, this 49 days is still a considerable amount of time to fast
between the meal and enlightenment.
Buddhist teachings list 13 ascetic practices conducive for jhanas as
well as other teachings praising certain ascetic practices.
"I do not say householder, that all asceticism should be practiced;
nor do I say of all asceticism that it should not be practiced"
(Anguttara Nikaya 10.94).
"The person who wears a robe made of rags, who is lean, with veins
showing all over the body, and who meditates alone in the forest him
do I call a holy man" (Dhammapada 395).
Plants
In Jainism plants are considered to have life force and spirit. In
later Buddhist teachings a clear line was drawn where the Buddhist
cosmology included humans, animals, devas and other celestial beings,
but not plants. However, there is some indication that this may have
been a later development and that the early Buddhists regarded plants
as somewhat a borderline case between sentient and insentient. The
Buddhist Vinaya prohibits monks and nuns from doing any kind of
violence against plants.There is scientific research that is showing
some possible evidence of neurobiology and possible sentience in
plants.
Conclusion
In the Buddhist scriptures there are references to the Buddha or one
of his disciples meeting and debating with Jains. In virtually every
instance the Buddha or one of his disciples wins the debate and the
Jain converts to Buddhism. A less than favorable light is also
portrayed to the founder of Jainism, Mahavira. When we compare the
vast amount of similarities between the Buddha and Mahavira and
Buddhism and Jainism, it is possible that the differences were even
less in early Buddhism. A more drastic change may have occurred when
Buddhism placed less emphasis on ahimsa as can be seen in Buddhist
writings that tend to justify and allow meat eating, for example. It
is possible that the early Buddhists were more insistent on
vegetarianism as additionally evidenced by King Ashoka who wanted to
gradually phase out the killing of animals for food. King Ashoka ruled
and lived before the Pali Canon was put to writing.
There are marked differences in the definitions of kamma and nibbana
(karma and nirvana) and the Buddha was practicing asceticism prior to
enlightenment. In light of these facts it is possible that both
Mahavira and Buddha were practicing some form of
Jainism/Shramana/asceticism and the Buddha got it right (and was the
actual new enlightened one to teach the masses, not Mahavira) in
regard to nibbana and kamma but both were insistent on ahimsa and many
other teachings.
--
Thanks and best regards
J.Suresh
New No.3, Old No.7,
Chamiers road - 1st Lane,
Alwarpet,
Chennai - 600018
Ph: 044 42030947
Mobile: 91 9884071738
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